Year in Review: April 2020 - April 2021 - Madera County Library - Krista Riggs, March 2021
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Madera County Library
Year in Review:
April 2020 - April 2021
Krista Riggs, March 2021
Table of Contents 03 MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 04 COVID-19 AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES 06 REBOUNDING AFTER COVID-19 07 ELECTRONIC ACCESS 24/7 08 COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVES 09 OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS 10 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 12 STORYTIME WITH LOCAL LEADERS 14 GRANTS AND AWARDS 15 STAFF DEVELOPMENT 16 FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 17 WHAT'S NEXT? 18 CONTACT US -- THANK YOU
From the Library Director
Dear friends,
Welcome to Madera County Library.
We will always remember 2020 as the year of the COVID-19
pandemic. Our mountain communities will also remember recent
times for the devastating Creek Fire and an unparalleled wind
storm. Despite so many challenges, I will also remember 2020 as
the year I was so fortunate to join the amazing team at Madera
County through the Library Department. I'm impressed every day
Krista Riggs by the kindness, resilience, hope, and strength of community that
Library Director surrounds me.
Madera County Library
Madera County Library employs a team of 26 hard working and
dedicated people that place public service and the needs of our
community above everything else. The team bravely switched
gears last spring to adjust our service model for the pandemic. We
started offering contactless curbside services that are so successful
that patrons have asked us to continue the service even as
branches reopen. Our creative staff quickly adjusted story times,
craft and science programs, and our benchmark summer reading
and art programs to fit within online and 'grab and go' formats. The
Madera and Chowchilla Libraries took grab and go activities
beyond library walls to partner with summer meal sites at local
schools, while our North Fork team filled a need in their
community by serving as a grab and go meal site at the Library. I
couldn't be more proud of our team in rebounding with bravery
and grace to continue offering vital resources, programs, and
services to our communities through this difficult time.
I'm very excited for the year ahead as we prepare for a new
bookmobile, exciting new projects and partnerships, and a new
community-focused strategic plan for a shared sense of mission,
vision, and values for the Library. We aim to have something for
everyone, let us know how we can best serve you.
Everything is free at the Library, come visit and be inspired!
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 3
COVID-19 and Public Libraries In March 2020, most libraries in California and across the country closed their doors to the public due to the pandemic, a previously unheard of idea for a public-serving, community-centered organization such as Madera County Library. When MCL's new library director started the following month, she prioritized bringing staff back to work and acquiring proper protective equipment and safety plans to enable the library to resume public access to resources, programs, and services in a modified way. All branches began curbside service in May while also creating popular virtual and 'grab and go' programming for all ages for summer and fall. In October, all branches reopened their doors to the public with safety measures and modified schedules in place, while also continuing our successful curbside service to those who prefer the extra comfort and convenience. MCL will continue phasing in more open hours under the guidance of our local health officials while keeping the safety and health of our staff and community as top priority. MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 4
COVID-19 Response Timeline The entire team at all five Madera County Library locations continues to demonstrate strong dedication to serving our communities, returning to work in April of 2020 and rapidly changing gears to offer contactless curbside services, phone and online reference help, access to expanded electronic materials, and virtual and grab and go programs and activities for all ages. As evident on the following pages, COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders caused library circulation to hit 'rock bottom' during the month of March 2020, as public libraries across the state and country closed their doors to the public in a historically unprecedented situation. Madera County Library began checking out materials to the public again exclusively through contactless curbside service between May 18 and October 4, 2020. The following charts show a dramatic rebound in circulation, with all five locations reaching a peak in August at the conclusion of the summer reading program as families prepared for online learning. Our Oakhurst and North Fork Libraries closed temporarily for safety during the Creek Fire in September, and the effects of the devastating fire on our mountain communities can be seen in the sharp decrease in circulation during this time. Yet, circulation at both branches rebounded quickly, echoing the strength and resilience of the communities we serve. All five library locations reopened their doors to the public during the week of October 5, being open two or three days a week depending on size, with computer access also resuming. Curbside service continues to be especially popular in select locations, with patrons requesting that we continue this convenient service beyond the pandemic. Library circulation continues to rise toward pre-pandemic levels as we phase in additional access to resources, programs, and services while planning for the future. MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 5
Rebounding after COVID Chowchilla Checkouts Madera Main Checkouts Madera Ranchos Checkouts North Fork Checkouts Oakhurst Checkouts Total by Branch: Jan. '20 - February '21 MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 6
Electronic Access - 24/7
While circulation of physical materials dropped Overdrive Electronic Checkouts
drastically with library branches closing in March
and April 2020, circulation of electronic materials
peaked during this time via the Library's
subscriptions to Overdrive and Hoopla. These
platforms allow 24/7 online access to e-books, e-
audio books, music, and streaming videos free with
a library card. Overdrive circulation increased by
over 67% between February and June 2020, and
Hoopla circulation saw a parallel surge between
March and April while library doors were closed. The
Library also expanded e-resources and database
subscriptions during the pandemic to continue
providing trusted information and resources for our
community. That circulation numbers declined as
MCL began curbside service and partially reopened Hoopla Electronic Checkouts
to the public is evidence that many patrons still
prefer physical materials and in-person service by
visiting their local library.
Total by Platform: Jan. '20 - February '21
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 7
Countywide Initiatives
Orthopaedics
Neuro Sciences
Oncology
Gastro
Sciences
Renal Sciences
Countywide initiatives from April 2020 - March 2021 include the annual Summer Reading Program and corresponding Summer
Virtual Performers sponsored by our five Friends of the Library groups, ZipBooks through the California State Library, National
Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Summer Art Program presented by the Oakhurst Library and Friends of the Oakhurst and North
Fork Branch Libraries, the Fall Reading Program supported by our Friends of the Library groups, Library eCards for instant access
to online resources during the pandemic, and the Backpack Literacy Program funded by a grant from First 5 Madera County.
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 8
Select Outreach and Partnerships
Orthopaedics
Neuro Sciences
Oncology
Pulmonology
Gastro
Gynaecology Sciences
Renal Sciences
Madera County Library loves collaborating with other organizations to support community efforts while increasing awareness of
library resources, programs, and services. Recent outreach events include partnerships with Madera County Public Health, Madera
County Food Bank, First 5 Madera County, Madera City Parks and Recreation, Fresno EOC, Madera County Animal Shelter,
Camarena Health, Community Action Partnership of Madera County, City of Madera, the U.S. Census 2020 in North Fork, and more!
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 9Library Program Highlights
Orthopaedics
Neuro Sciences
Oncology
Pulmonology
Gastro
Sciences
Madera County Library continues offering virtual and 'grab and go' programs during the pandemic. Top row, l-r: grab and go
activities at the Madera Library, the Seed Library at the North Fork Library, and 'Make your own Flour Tortillas' from the virtual
summer program offerings. Second row, l-r: grab and go ornament kits from the Chowchilla Library, a virtual craft program for
summer from Madera, and grab and go Valentine bags in North Fork. Third row, l-r: online summer Lego contest from Madera, grab
and go winter crafts from the Madera Library, and a virtual tour of the Coarsegold Historic Museum during summer programming.
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 10Library Program Highlights Additional programs and services from the past year include: Top row, l-r: hotspot lending at the Oakhurst and North Fork Libraries, a winner from the first ever Poetry Contest presented by the Friends of the Madera County Library, summer reading prizes sponsored by the Friends of the Madera Ranchos Library. Second row, l-r: a Halloween pumpkin giveaway at the Madera Library, the new logo for Madera County Library, a Community Cookbook program from the California History Room. Third row, l-r: a virtual tour of a local chicken coop in Oakhurst, grab and go activities at a school meal site in Chowchilla, and an online origami card making workshop via the Oakhurst Library. MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 11
Storytime with Local Leaders Our team welcomed the chance to share the virtual storytime spotlight with local leaders in our communities. Here are some of the special guests who took time to share their favorite books while emphasizing the importance of literacy, libraries, and reading to our children. Clockwise from top on this page: Madera County Administrative Officer Jay Varney, Madera County Board of Supervisors - District 3: Robert Poythress, Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno, Chowchilla Fire Chief Fred Gaumnitz, Madera Police Officer Wayson Juarez, and Madera County Board of Supervisors - District 5: Tom Wheeler. Thank you all! MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 12
Storytime with Local Leaders Clockwise from top on this page: Madera County Director of Public Health Sara Bosse, Madera County Public Health Officer Dr. Simon Paul, Madera Unified School District Board Member Joetta Fleak, Sierra Freepackers Unit Member Cathy Miller, Fossil Discovery Center Director Michele Pecina, and Madera County Director of Social Services Deborah Martinez. Thank you all! MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 13
Grants and Awards
Madera County Library received many exciting awards and
opportunities between April 2020 and April 2021, with a total of
over $395,000 in grant funds:
May 2020: Awarded the Shared Vision grant from California
State Library to create a bookmobile to better serve our rural
communities.
May 2020: Awarded a grant from First 5 Madera County to
present a series of 'backpack literacy' workshops in English and
Spanish empowering parents and caregivers to be their child's
first teacher.
May 2020: Awarded a Lunch at the Library grant from the
California Library Association to offer grab and go activities in
partnership with school meal sites in Madera and Chowchilla,
and to host a summer meal program in North Fork.
September 2020: Awarded a grant from the North Fork
Rancheria to upgrade fixtures and increase health and safety
materials at the North Fork Library.
October 2020: Awarded a FINRA Foundation grant to purchase
financial literacy materials for collections in areas affected by
the Creek Fire.
October 2020: Awarded a grant from the Southern California
Library Cooperative to increase database offerings for access
to online resources during the pandemic.
October 2020: Awarded a second grant from Lunch at the
Library to continue grab and go activities.
December 2020: Adela Herrera, Administrative Assistant, was
awarded the 'Chairman Culture of Excellence' Award from
Madera County's Board of Supervisors.
December 2020: The Chowchilla Branch Library was one of only
12 libraries in the country, and the only library in California, to
be awarded the STAR Net STEAM Equity grant in partnership
with the American Library Association, the Space Science
Institute, PBS, and the Education Development Center.
Pulmonology
Gastro
January 2021: Awarded a 'Copycat
Gynaecology Grant' from the California
Sciences
State Library to offer virtual 'Sit and Be Fit' low-impact chair
exercise programs for older adults.
March 2021: Awarded the Virtual Youth Programming grant
from the California State Library to offer Augmented Reality
challenges at local parks and landmarks in Madera County.
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 14Staff Training and Development
Through scholarship opportunities from the California State Library, the California Library Association, and the
Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Madera County Library team members are able to benefit from many
continuing education training courses and professional conferences at no cost. Such opportunities have saved the
Library and Madera County over $3,000 in training costs during the past year:
Crystal Clark (North Fork): GALE Database Training
Sara Comstock (North Fork): Association of Rural and Small Libraries Virtual Conference, Infopeople's Children's
Services Fundamentals Course, GALE Database Training.
Leilani Cummings (Oakhurst): Infopeople's Cataloging and Classification Course.
Jerrica Edmundson (Madera Ranchos): Harwood Public Innovators Lab, Infopeople's Foundations of Library
Services Course, All Work is Team Work Course, Basic Cataloging, Reference Fundamentals, Library Supervision and
Management, and Technology in Libraries Course.
Dawn Fedak (Oakhurst): ABLE trainings from the Idaho State Library.
Adela Herrera (Madera): COVID HR Issues, Labor Code 101 for Public Agencies, Guide to Understanding and
Managing Employees' Rights: Labor, Leaves, and Accommodations.
Yvette Herrera (Madera): Infopeople's Children's Services Fundamentals Course, Building Equitable Summers
Initiative, Creating Fantastic Library Displays webinar.
Amanda Judd (Chowchilla): Harwood Public Innovators Lab, ALA's Closing the Gender Gap, Culturally Responsive
STEAM Programming, FIRST's STEM Learning, ALA's YA for All, Self Care and Collaboration Workshop, Smart
Scheduling and Planning, and Bursting at the STEAMs.
Jon King (Madera): Multiple trainings as lead on the Veterans Connect project with the State Library, GALE
Database Training, multiple trainings with volunteermatch.org and teachingbooks.net.
Mary Jo Lawrence (Madera): Scholarship to attend the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services virtual
conference, ALA's Core Virtual Forum, selected as a participant in CLA/CSL's Developing Leaders 2021 Cohort.
Sarah McIntyre (North Fork): Harwood Public Innovators Lab, selected as a participant in CLA/CSL's Developing
Leaders 2021 Cohort.
Josie Mesa (Madera): GALE database training, Infopeople’s Introduction to Website Accessibility Course, Video
Creation and Editing: An Introduction for Public Library Programming Staff Course.
Ignacio Negrete (Madera): Infopeople's Adult Programming Course, Emerging Technologies Course.
Dale Rushing (Oakhurst): Harwood Public Innovators Lab, Infopeople's Adult Programming Course.
Mary Sholler (Madera): GALE Database Training
Part of being a good leader for the team and director for our Library means staying current on trends, contributing to the
profession, and representing the Central Valley when participating on committees and task forces. Here are some of
Krista's recent and upcoming professional contributions:
Pulmonology
Editor/ Author of the bimonthly 'Best Practices' column in Public Libraries Magazine, a publication
Gastro of ALA's
Public Library Association, 2019-present. Gynaecology Sciences
Co-Chair of ALA's ALSC Managing Children's Services Committee, July 2020-June 2021.
Library Ambassador for the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, 2019-present.
Presented national webinar for ALA's ALSC Division in November 2020.
Program Planning Committee for ALA's CORE Virtual Forum 2020.
Program Committee/ Virtual Conference Committee for California Library Association's Virtual Conference 2021.
Advising Committee for California Libraries Learn (CALL), through CLA and CSL, 2020-present.
CLA's Beatty Book Award Committee, Spring 2020 and Spring 2021.
Accepted as a presenter for the 2021 California Library Association Virtual Conference in May 2021.
Accepted to present a national webinar for ALA's Public Library Association in May 2021.
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 15Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Revenues Expenditures Net County Cost
$256,252 $1,773,387 $1,517,135
Fines & Fees, Grants, FOL Staffing, Supplies, Books Expenditures minus
Donations, City Funds. & Materials, Utilities. Revenues.
Revenues Expenditures
O ce Supplies
Salaries and Bene ts
Meeting Room Rentals
Equipment and Rentals
Grants and Government Funding
Transportation and Travel
Fines, Fees, and Services Utilities
Donations Communications
City of Madera Consortium Membership (SJVLS)
Library Materials and Supplies
56% of revenues came from 71% of expenditures supported
grants and federal or state funds. salaries and benefits for the team.
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 16What's Next? As we look toward the future, this is an exciting time for public libraries. After closing doors and halting programs and services during the pandemic, we're at a unique intersection of past, present, and future for making decisions. It's the perfect time to reconsider past practices in a lens of community input and feedback. To optimize this rare opportunity, Madera County Library is creating a new community-centered strategic plan. We will be having community conversations and distributing surveys throughout the County to gain input and public knowledge to best guide future decisions. This ensures we are offering the most relevant resources, programs, and services for maximum impact in each of our unique communities. The new plan will include a mission statement for a renewed sense of shared purpose and a vision statement of what success looks like in the future. We will also draw on staff and community input to devise organizational and service values and priority areas to make the best, community- informed use of our resources. We would love to hear from you! Please share your input on this quick survey: Via URL: Via QR Code (scan with your smartphone camera): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/splan As we plan to continue our strong rebound and look ahead, MCL has exciting opportunities on the horizon. An online version of the popular Robotics program is in the works for spring and summer. Our team is also enthusiastically planning for this year's Summer Reading Program, which will be a hybrid of a paper reading log and online option to best serve everyone. We'll be planning more grab and go activities to distribute at our libraries, at school meal sites, and at outreach events. Our new bookmobile should be 'road ready' by early fall, just in time to support families with the start of a new school year. We are also exploring exciting partnership possibilities that include Augmented Reality challenges and StoryWalks at local parks and trails, Little Free Libraries in our rural areas, and a programming trailer to better facilitate 'pop up' libraries to bring more resources, programming, and services to our outlying areas. Have a suggestion for a new resource, program, or service you'd like to see at the library or in the community? Please complete the survey above and share your input, or give us a call or stop by your local branch and talk with our team. We look forward to hearing from you and learning how we can best serve our communities. We hope to see you soon at the Library! MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 17
Contact Us
Postal Address:
Madera County Library
121 N. G Street
Madera, CA 93637
Phone:
559-675-7871
Website:
www.maderalibrary.org
Thank you!
Madera County Board of Supervisors Friends of the Library Organizations
District 1 Friends of the Chowchilla Branch Library
Brett Frazier P.O Box 812, Chowchilla, CA 93610
District 2 Friends of the Madera County Library
David Rogers 121 N. G Street, Madera, CA 93637
District 3 Friends of the Madera Ranchos Branch Library
Robert L. Poythress 37398 Berkshire Dr, Madera, CA 93636
District 4 Friends of the North Fork Branch Library
Leticia Gonzalez P.O. Box 876, North Fork, CA 93643
District 5 Friends of the Oakhurst Branch Library
Tom Wheeler P. O. Box 1226, Oakhurst, CA 93644
County Administrative Officer Friends of the Library are separate 501(c)(3) organizations
Jay Varney that raise funds to support Library materials, programs, and
services and advocate for public libraries in the community.
Thank you for your continued support!
MADERA COUNTY LIBRARY - YEAR IN REVIEW 18You can also read
