HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-15 PSPL Annual Report Library Visits/Door Count: 272,056
Circulation/Materials Checked Out:
434,625
Number of eBook Check-outs: 11,995
Public Service Hours: 2,526
Library NEW Card Registrations: 5,142
Public Computer Sessions: 85,541
Number of Programs
(Youth/Teen/Adult): 359
Number of Program Attendees: 8,555
Number of Volunteer Hours: 902.5
Inter-Library Loans to Others: 1,456
Inter-Library Loans Requested: 645
Number of Reference Questions
(omitting directional): 32,973
Number of Downloaded Music: 17,414
Palm Springs Public Library
300 S. Sunrise Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-322-READ (7323)
www.palmspringslibrary.org
MAIN LIBRARY
STATISTICS AT-A-GLANCE
WELWOOD MURRAY MEMORIAL
LIBRARY STATISTICS SINCE OPENING
(February 2015—June 2015)
Library Visits/Door Count: 30,517
Public Service Hours: 1,584
Public Computer Sessions: 6,688
ANNUAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015
As the Director of Library Services, it is my honor to present to you the
highlights of the past Fiscal Year, July 2014 to June 2015. The Palm
Springs Public Library team is proud of its accomplishments this year, and
saw an 8% increase in visitors over the previous year. The circulation of
our physical collection increased slightly but our electronic-item circulation
went through the roof! E-book circulation increased 29% and downloaded
music increased 237%. Public computer usage increased 16% with an
average of 33 computer users every hour that we were open. We strive
each year to offer a wide variety of quality library materials, online
services, events, and programs. We are glad to see you making use of
your Library.
I am very proud of the Library staff. They want to make sure everyone
enjoys their visit. The staff works hard to ensure the Library has the best
collection and appealing programs. I could not do my job without my
amazing team.
Accomplishments this year include purchasing a high-quality, preservation-
level scanner for our Accessing the Past project, and developing our Born to
Read program in partnership with Friends of the Palm Springs Library and
Desert Regional Medical Center.
One of the biggest highlights this past year was the reopening of
Welwood Murray Memorial Library. Look for us to celebrate the 75th
anniversary of Welwood Murray Memorial Library, February 19, 2016.
I would like to thank our program sponsors, donors, Library Board of
Trustees, Friends of the Palm Springs Library, the newly-formed Palm
Springs Public Library Foundation, and the City of Palm Springs for their
advocacy and financial support. We are also grateful to our volunteers.
Our volunteer program showed an increase of 37% this year. Thank you
to all who got involved in some way.
Join a book club, attend a lecture, or bring your family to one of our youth
or teen programs. Discover, Enrich, Enjoy, Connect…Make the Library a Part
of Your Life!
Jeannie Kays, Director of Library Services
READ to the RHYTHM Summer Reading Program 2015
Programs were available for youth, teen, and adult age
groups, including a Five-Book Challenge and a Book Bingo
game. Weekly performers, events, and many other
activities were held throughout the summer.
To encourage attendance, the Library held weekly
drawings for each age group. Winners received bags or
backpacks filled with books, gift certificates, passes, and
merchandise, generously provided by local businesses and
organizations. The Friends of the Palm Springs Library
provided the funds to purchase three Xbox 360 Kinect
console systems as grand prizes, one winner per age group.
The iconic, and newly renovated, Welwood Murray Memorial Library was reopened by Palm
Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, members of the City Council, and the Library Board of Trustees on
February 19, 2015. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the 74th anniversary of the original
opening of the building. In celebration of the reopening and anniversary, cupcakes and com-
memorative wooden postcards depicting the building were given out to the public. This downtown
historic building serves many purposes. It is a branch of the main Library, providing FREE Wi-Fi,
public computers, printers, and a browsing collection of national magazines and daily newspapers. It is also an
historical archives research library in partnership with the Palm Springs Historical Society. In addition, the
Welwood Murray Memorial Library serves as a visitor and tourist information site, staffed by the Palm Springs
Bureau of Tourism. Visit www.welwoodlibrary.org for hours, events, and community room rental information.
ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2014-15 Page 2
TOTAL SIGN-UPS: 952
Youth—654
Teen—136
Adult—162
TOTAL COMPLETIONS: 162
TOTAL PROGRAMS: 51
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 2,650
Welwood Murray Memorial Library Reopens!
Accessing the Past:
Digital History Collaborative
Grants, Gifts and Accolades
The City of Palm Springs and surrounding areas of
the Coachella Valley have a rich history as a play-
ground to the stars, the inspiration for unique archi-
tecture, and a place with deep roots. Many people
seek information about our popular residents, as
well as our local legends and historic sites. As information
specialists, members of the Palm Springs Public Library staff
have taken the lead in our community to bring multiple organiza-
tions together to share our local history resources, making them
available to the world in an online searchable database. Items
archived include local newspapers, photographs, directories,
social registers, flight manuals, and more. Accessing the Past
Digital History Collaborative is a cooperative partnership with the
Palm Springs Public Library, City of Palm Springs, Library Board of
Trustees, California State Library, and other community partners.
This program is supported in part by the U. S. Institute of Museum
and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and
Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
The Library received several special gifts, grants
and awards this year, including:
Harold & Lorraine Kropitzer Trust—$226,665.66
Webb Foundation—$2,500 for Accessing the Past
California State Library—$60,000 for Accessing the
Past
Library Board of Trustees—$50,000 for Accessing
the Past
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Spa Hotel
Furniture voucher—$750
Friends of the Palm Springs Library—$40,000
annual gift
California Library Association—PR Excellence
Award for Accessing the Past. This award honors
the highest quality efforts of California libraries in
promoting and communicating their message to
their customers.