Annual Report to the Community 2013
A Message from your Board Chair and CEO
In 2013 London Public Library went out into the community like never before to hear
from Londoners. Your Library has always worked hard to make a difference in the lives
of people in our community through relevant, accessible and high quality library
services. Over the past four years as we accomplished the goals of our 2010-2013
Strategic Plan: Enriching Lives & Empowering People, we worked hard to achieve our
vision to be a “Community Hub” – the heart of the community.
During the summer of 2013, in preparation for the new LPL Strategic Plan, we spread
out across the city to speak with Londoners about the future of their Library. From dog
parks to street corners, from library branches to our virtual space, we engaged with
many amazing citizens, people who care deeply about their Library and the vital role
that it plays in their lives and the City of London. We heard that the Library has been
successful in meeting public needs and expectations and being that essential
“community hub”. Importantly, as we engaged with our community, thousands of
people shared tremendous ideas for how we can become even more relevant and
essential to their quality of life.
This past year Londoners showed how much they love their library through their high
use and positive feedback. The combined attendance for our 16 branch locations and
virtual branch was a phenomenal 7,614,390 visits. We continued to see extremely high
usage of all services across the system. The Library also provided great return on
investment for the taxpayers based on a high per capita use and low cost per use again
in 2013.
The year brought its share of great happenings!
People loved the new look and feel of the refreshed Crouch Branch Library when it was
refurbished after 10 years of being a popular destination. They told us that it is easier to
use, more welcoming and accessible.
We also received a significant grant from FedDev Ontario through the Community
Infrastructure Improvement Fund that, combined with community, foundation and
corporate donations, enabled us to begin the renovation and expansion of the
Glanworth Branch. Construction got underway in the fall.
A new community garden, developed in partnership with the Huron Heights Literacy
Working Group, opened at the Beacock Branch Library.
We continued to build the very popular electronic collections with the launch of our
digital magazine service, Zinio, and expanded eBook collection. New technologies are
also becoming integral to the delivery of other services and this year iPads became a
tool used in our children’s storytimes.
LPL was part of many cultural events in 2013 and hosted an International Festival of
Authors Lit on Tour event in the Wolf Performance Hall at Central Library.
This rewarding and successful year would not have been possible without the support of
many: our keen, creative, knowledgeable staff; our committed Library Board; our many
community partners; our dedicated volunteers; our generous donors and the engaged,
involved citizens of London. Thanks are due to the City of London and Province of
Ontario for their ongoing support which ensures that Londoners have the range and
quality of core library services they want and deserve. Special recognition is due to the
Friends of the London Public Library who celebrated their 20th anniversary in
September of 2013. We thank them for their ongoing friendship and support to valueadded services and programs.
We look forward to continuing this great momentum in 2014 and beyond as we build
upon our success through work on our new 2014-2017 Strategic Plan: Library Space is
Community Place.
Josh Morgan
Chair (2013)
London Public Library Board
Susanna Hubbard Krimmer
CEO and Chief Librarian
London Public Library
2013 Financial Information
Operating Revenue, Table 1
Source
Amount (dollars)
City of London
$ 18,656,694
Provincial Grants
$ 716,699
Federal Grants
$ 18,325
Fines
$ 463,986
Fees, Rentals & Sundry
$ 370,574
Other
$ 44,990
Operating Expenditures, Table 2
Source
Amount (dollars)
Human Resources
$ 14,393,906
Collections*
$ 2,044,848
Facility Services*
$ 1,531,846
Utilities
$ 859,704
Technology*
$ 427,926
Purchased Services*
$ 579,680
Facilities Repairs & Maintenance
$ 328,559
General
$ 63,306
Program Services
$ 73,175
Furniture & Equipment*
$ 23,039
* Expenditures are shown before amortization of tangible capital assets. See Library
website for the 2013 LPL Audited Financial Statements prepared according to PSAB
sections 1200 Financial Statement Presentation and 3150 Tangible Capital Assets. The
audited statements show amortization of $3,535,893 for capital assets such as
buildings, computers, collections, library shelving, furniture, equipment and motor
vehicles.
Strategic Plan: Library Space is Community Place
In July of 2013 we started the planning process for a new Library Strategic Plan by
sending Street Teams of staff and Board members out to the streets, parks, markets
and other places where people gather to speak face-to-face with Londoners. We
wanted to provide an authentic process which gave you a chance to talk about your
needs, expectations and aspirations and to tell us how the Library could play a role in
your life and in strengthening our community. Your responses helped us set the
compass for the Library’s future direction. You next engaged with us by answering our
survey and coming out to community events to tell us more about what you want your
Library to be. We heard directly from over 7,500 of you who gave us thousands of
tremendous ideas for how we can become even more relevant and essential to your
quality of life.
We asked Londoners to share their ideas, insights and dreams for the future of their
Library.
Thousands of Londoners let us know they care about their Library’s future.
Thank you, Londoners, for being so involved. Your input was essential to the new
London Public Library Strategic Plan: Library Space is Community Place!
londonpubliclibrary.ca/yourplan
Collections
It’s important for us to remain relevant to you by providing the formats you’re looking for.
Digital collections and formats were very popular with Library users in 2013, while use
of our print collections remained very high. Your Library has something for everyone.
Library Visits: 2,939,228
Website Visits: 4,675,162
Items Borrowed: 4,141,506
E-BOOK Checkouts: 141,710, 38.9% increase from 2012
Registered Library Card Holders: 48% of Londoners
Annual Library Card Use per Capita: 37.4%
Digital Image Gallery
Hundreds of photos tucked away in our London Room archives have been digitized
over the years and made available online thanks to generous funding from Friends of
the London Public Library. Viewing of these historic photos increased in 2013.
Londoners did most of the clicking into our Digital Image Gallery but views and
comments also came from European countries, the United States, even from Australia
and India!
Online Views of Digital Image Gallery: 16,574
londonpubliclibrary.ca/localhistory
Zinio™ Magazines
Our electronic magazine collection, Zinio™, was an instant hit when we launched it in
July. You love reading current, popular magazines on your tablets and devices!
Checkouts in six months: 15,052
Ancestry Library Edition®
One of our most popular online resources for geneology research was used 10,000
times per month.
Online visits in 2013: 120,000
Teens still read print!
They’re in book clubs, taking Get Caught Reading Challenges and posting about books
on LPL’s teen Facebook page.
Teen Print Books Borrowed: 114,682
Adult Non-Fiction Print Books Borrowed: 483,613
E-Audiobooks Borrowed: 50,214
Technology
Using technology to do homework, apply for jobs and access government information is
something we take for granted. Free access to public computers and the Internet is
necessary to so many in our community. Your Library ensures these essential tools are
there for everyone.
Wireless Internet Use Sessions: 137,931
Public Computer Use Sessions: 620,549
Technology Help
Many in our community are still getting started with using technology in their lives. It can
be an overwhelming experience not knowing where to turn for assistance or what to do
first. Computer classes at the Library provide help with those first steps by offering basic
introductory instruction and information about our public-use computers as a place to
begin and practice. Classes include the Getting Started With Computers series and
Computer Help for Older Adults. Great for getting started!
Volunteer technology tutors are available at many library locations to help troubleshoot
and Library staff are great at helping you get started downloading free Library
resources.
Historypin
We expanded opportunities to explore London’s history online in 2013 by making our
digitized photo collection available on Historypin. Using Historypin’s mobile app or
website, historic images can be viewed on a mobile device or desktop computer. With
the camera on your mobile, you can view the current-day street view overlaid with the
historic photo of that street. Pretty cool! Try taking one of the walking tours we created
to highlight London’s history.
iPads Come to Storytimes
Thanks to the generosity of our Library donors, technology enhancements have come to
Storytimes. It’s a way to present children’s stories in a format that’s relevant to today’s
families.
Social Media
Your engagement with us on social media continued to grow in 2013. Thanks for
including us in your online community. We’ll continue to reach out to you with news,
stories and information about our services and programs via Twitter, Facebook,
YouTube and new platforms.
Social Media Mentions, Comments, Share and Likes: 39,113
Access for All
Your Library provides resources and services to the community, whether it’s offering
collections in accessible formats, delivery to the homebound, access to computers,
reference services or a place for families to come for homework help, storytime or play
time. We are a space for learning, leisure and recreation. We are free and located in
neighbourhoods throughout the city.
Vision
London Public Library is the Community Hub that strengthens individuals, families and
neighbourhoods by connecting them to people and to relevant information, collections,
programs and resources.
Mission
We are passionate about making a difference in our community, one person at a time,
by enriching lives and empowering people through relevant, accessible, high quality
library services.
Reference Questions Answered: 1,296,438
New Library Cards Issued: 19,333
Active Library Users: 152,398
“I don’t have a computer at home. I come to the library to check my email. It’s how I
communicate with my family. They live far away and it’s how I stay in touch.”
Yvette, Retiree
Visiting Library
We reached out to close to 500 homebound people in our community with our delivery
service. For those who can’t come to the Library, our Visiting Library Service is an
important lifeline to keeping an active mind and a connection to their community.
“I cannot find words to adequately express how much I value the Library. This is a real
service to humanity.”
Betty, 93-year-old on Visiting Library Service
Adult Large Print Books Borrowed: 68,780
Adult Audiobooks Borrowed: 76,067
Reaching Out and Into Neighbourhoods
Summer is such a busy time at our locations, with thousands of London families
participating in our summer reading programs, often dropping by for daily visits with our
staff. We know that there are many London children who, for many different reasons,
are not able to regularly visit the Library. In 2013 our Community Outreach Librarian,
Literacy Facilitators and other library staff expanded our summer outreach, bringing the
summer reading fun out to more organizations and locations in our community such as
Vanier Children’s Services, Merrymount Centre, the City of London’s Social Skills
Camp, the Neighbourhood Resource Association of Westminster Park, City of London
Housing complexes and other neighbourhood organizations. These visits are a great
chance to build relationships, share reading materials through our “Take a Book” bin
and bring the pleasures of summer library programs out to more London children.
Outreach is a critical tool to ensuring that London Public Library is accessible and
relevant to as many Londoners as possible.
Early Literacy
Supporting families in giving children a good start for future success is an important
community goal. Your Library offers expert staff, programs, resources and support for
parents with children at all age and learning levels.
Family Centres London
London’s Child and Youth Network, of which London Public Library is a member,
opened London’s first Family Centre facility in November, 2013. With a focus on
collaborating with London families to determine the unique needs of our communities,
London organizations have worked together in unprecedented ways to develop exciting
new ways of delivering services to London families. The growing depth and strength of
the partnerships that this long-term initiative represents is very exciting for London and
we are proud to be a member.
With the Family Centre model, London Public Library provides support that is tailored to
each community. In some communities this means Library staff deliver storytimes and
programming at the Family Centre, in other communities Library staff may help develop
and deliver traveling family literacy programs or offer school age programs and
homework help at the Library close by. In every community we are working closely with
our partners and families to share our expertise and resources to further the goal of a
more family centred service system that makes the full range of services more
accessible to families.
Grab and Go Bags!
You’ll find this hugely popular service at every library location. Launched in December
2013, and expanding quickly due to high demand, these red cloth bags each contain 5
high quality picture books chosen by our staff. Families love that we’ve made our
amazing book selection so readily accessible and open for delight and discovery! Grab
and Go Bags can be borrowed for 3 weeks and returned to any library location.
Attendance at Storytimes: 25,736
Attendance at Family Literacy Day: 750
Summer Reading Club: 4,419 children participated, making 14,980 visits over the
summer.
Your Community place
Your Library locations truly are community hubs. You made almost 3 million visits to our
16 neighbourhood locations to meet with others, work on projects, get help with
homework, find something new to read, enjoy artistic experiences, learn a new skill and
touch base with our staff who know their communities so well.
Art Exhibits
Community Meetings
Western & Fanshawe Lectures
Concerts
Classes & Workshops
Author Readings
Program Attendance: 203,999
Beacock Garden
In September Beacock Branch Library celebrated the opening of their new garden
space for the northeast community. The garden was a project of the Huron Heights
Literacy Working Group, a partnership of community organizations and individuals, with
funding coming from the City of London’s Sparks! Neighbourhood Matching Fund and
the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
Crouch Library Refurbishment
Our libraries are well loved and well used and need to be freshened up periodically.
Crouch Branch received a facelift in 2013 with new carpeting, fresh paint, updated
meeting rooms, new toys for the children’s area and the installation of new study
carrels. Supervisor Brian Rhoden says, “We’ve had so many positive comments from
our community, they’re enjoying the new look.”
Enhancing the Lives of Older Adults
The Argyle Seniors’ Satellite at East London Branch Library, with 140 members, was
such a busy place in 2013 that its recreation and leisure programs spilled out into the
hall and a second day of programming was added. Argyle is London’s first Satellite and
in April 2013 we welcomed the second: Boyle Seniors’ Satellite. London Public Library
is an integral partner in the Seniors’ Satellites initiative, providing support, resources
and programming that enhance the lives of older adults living in the community.
2013 also saw the official launch of the Age Friendly London Network, a community-led
initiative which includes the Library as a participating member. London Public Library
also provided support to the Age Friendly London Conference in June 2013.
2013 Donors
Thanks to the generosity of our many donors, London Public Library opens the door to a
lifetime of opportunities for so many. Through innovative programming, early literacy
support, technology training and enhanced collections and library spaces, our donors
are a critical partner in ensuring that your Library makes a positive difference in our
community. From enriching lives to connecting people of all ages to essential resources
and to each other, we couldn’t do it without your support, London Public Library donors.
You matter more than ever.
Over $100,000
Friends of the London Public Library
$75,000.00–$99,999.99
Estate of Kathleen Joyce Vander Sal
$25,000.00–$49,999.99
Bernard & Norton Wolf Foundation
Anne Keam
$10,000.00–$24,999.99
Good Foundation Inc.
$5,000.00–$9,999.99
Glanworth Community Association
$1,000.00–$4,999.99
The Agape Foundation of London
Michael & Julie Boucher
Canadian Federation of University Women - London Club
Chi Carmody
Clive W. Mills and Partners
Wayne Cranston
Mike Drabick
Estate of Eugene Tait Lamont
Harvest Ontario Partners
Hueston Family
The Jack & Barbara Hay Foundation
Jones Packaging Inc.
Susanna Hubbard Krimmer
Lambeth Optimist Club Inc.
Diane MacMlllan
Hashim Nainar
Nature London
Richard and Shelley Baker Family Foundation
Scotiabank Donations and Sponsorships
Tecumseh Community School
Western Fair District
Westminster Township Historical Society
+1 anonymous donor
$500.00–$999.99
Barry Brown
Jerry & Kimberly Colwell
Scott Courtice & Megan Winkler
Charles Dunham
Bertha Garcia
Joyce Garnett
General Dynamics Land Systems, Canada
Dr. Charles George
Arnold Hull
William Kelly
Paddy Musson
Optimist Club of Byron
Viola Poletes
Lisa Powell
Eeva Stierwalt
Donna Vachon
+ 3 anonymous donors
$100.00 - $499.99
552159 Ont Limited
Tony & Joy Abbott
Allan Anderson
David Andrew
Fred Armstrong
Myra Arnold
David Bach
T. R. Balakrishnan & Lois Leatham
Gina Barber
Donald & Heather Barclay
Patricia Barrett
Beacock Line Dancers
Margaret Beallor
Jessie Beattie
Joan Beavers
Antal Biro
Mardelle Bishop
Jane Bondy
John Boyne
Julie Brandl
Larry Brennan
Robert & Gail Brent
Margaret Brown
Matt Brown
Robert Buck
Dorothy Bullock
Shirley Burdick
Winifred Burke
Brenda Callaghan
Donald Chunn
City Hall Charity Chest Fund
Jocelyn Cline
Bruce & Mary Lois Cooper
Murray & Barbara Cosens
Tannis Coughlin
Jim Cressman
Jody Culham
CUPE Local 217 Library Employees
Matt & Christine Davison
A. M. Dawes
Rudi Denham
Stanley & Beryl Dennis
Jacqui Denomme
Noreen De Shane
Garry & Nancy Dodman
Martin Douglas
Vicki Douvalis
William Doyle & Sonia Debenetti-Doyle
Betty Duffield
Helen Dundas
Donna Dunlop
Brian & Kathy Dunn
James & Dorothy Eastwood
Susan Edwards
Nancy Ekdahl
Jim & Liz Etherington
A. M. Fallon
Rachel Ferguson
Elizabeth Flavell
Maria Forte
Lawrence & Ruth Fric
Susan Getchell
Bruce & Audrey Gibson
Rudi & Gwen Gijzen
Gloria Gilbert
John Gray
Roseanne Greene
Marguerite Griffiths
Annie Grindstaff
Vladimir & Mary Ann Hachinski
Sonia Hartsell
Elizabeth Heinicke
Walter Heywood & Lorrie Lefebvre
Rona Hickson
Ellen Hobin
Hoovy
Grant & Lily Hopcroft
Les Horwath
Paul Hovey
Gord Hume
Susan Huston
Jim Hutchinson
Daphne Jarvis
Jeano
Marian Jenkins
Johnny Fansher Financial
Linda Jones
Walter Jones
Harold & Katherine Keeling
Norita Keenan
Arlene Keener
Robert Kelly M.D.
Shelley Kempling
Grace King
Kiwanis Club of North London
Elaine Kocher
Wilma Lambert
Vic Laursen
Librarians Without Borders - UWO Chapter
Library Bookstore Donation Box
Michael Loebach
Rosemary Logan
London Condominium Corporation #15
London InterCommunity Health Centre
David Low
Lynette Lowry
Richard Lubell
Mary Lou MacAlpine
Sandra MacKenzie
Doug MacLeod
Anne Marie Madziak & Janice Marchant
Marion Marchant
Catherine Marsden
A. P. Martin
G. A. McBurney
Wendy McCaul
William J. McClelland
Doug & Julie McDermid
Margaret McDowell
Jerry McEachern
Lynne McKechnie
Roy & Ann McKenzie
Catherine McLachlin
Alexander McMenemy
Libby McMillan
Margaret Anne McNally
Jennifer-Anne Meneray
Metropolitan United Church Time Out Program
Sandra Miller
Roslyn Moorhead
Louise Moorhouse
Josh & Melanie Morgan
Louise Morley
Anne Morrison
Gwen Morton
Tom Murphy
Mary Nelson
Volker Nolte
Kevin & Barb O’Brien
Colm O’Sullivan
Virginia Offen
Old South Community Organization
Oliver & Associates Real Estate Brokerage Inc.
Optimist Club of East London
Di & Frank Pratt
Linda & Bill Ratcliffe
The Rees-Evans Family
Judith Reid
Betsy Reilly
Evelyn Reynolds
Wilson & Judith Rodger
Deborah & Thomas Rosehart
Rotary Club of London West Foundation
M. E. Jean Roth
Rick Rumney
Jeff & Judy Ann Sadler
Sandra Safran
Robert & Peggy Sanderson
Monica Sass
Johanna Scannell
Catherine Schaus
Darwin Semotiuk
Doris Shoebottom
Adam Shore
Barbara Shore
Chim Shore
Ian & Elaine Simpson
Nicholas Skinner
Joseph Smith
Hanna Spencer
Kathy Stark
James & Sharon Stewart
Laurena Storey
Archie & Ruth Stover
Roy Stover
Students of Lord Elgin Public School
Connie Sullivan
Lynne Swanson
Beth Tellaeche
Don & Nanette Thierry
Joan Emily Thompson
Neville Thompson
James Tiller
Wayne & Nora Tingle
Bob Tolmie
Tonda Construction Limited
Betty Tracy
Susan Traill
Don & Virginia Tremblay
K. L. Turner
United Way - London & Middlesex
Susan Usher
Max Valinsky
Pat Vande Sompel
Julie Van Wagner
Sally Vernon
Nancy Ward
Barbara Warren
Lynn & Keith Watson
Joan M. Watt
Bertie Watts
James Weaver
Louise Weekes
Glenn Weeks
Allan White
Bill & Marion White
Terry White
Carol Wilkins
George Williams
Sharron Williamson
Jean Wintonyk
Women’s Probus Club of London
Pauline Wrong
Elizabeth York
Mair Zamir
+83 anonymous donors
Every effort has been made to provide an accurate listing of our donors. We apologize
for any errors or omissions that may have occurred.
Western Fair District: Community Supporter
Western Fair District is passionate about supporting the Library. Heather Blackwell,
Director of Corporate Affairs at Western Fair District has memories of her childhood
rural library being an important destination, a place for meeting others, learning, and
making new discoveries. The generous support of Western Fair District has made it
possible to offer the Get Caught Reading Teen Summer Challenge and other Library
reading and educational programs to hundreds of children and teens in our community.
“The Western Fair has had a great relationship with the Library. We’re very proud to be
a corporate sponsor and we encourage organizations in the city to consider their local
library and what support they can provide in terms of education, family and community.
We can all find a way to give just a little, whether it’s individually or as a corporation.
The Library, it’s an asset we never want to lose.” Heather Blackwell, Director of
Corporate Affairs, Western Fair District
Volunteer support
Library volunteers are important to us on so many levels. They support your Library as
technology tutors, ushers for the Wolf Hall, program assistants, mentors for one-on-one
reading sessions with children and more. The Friends of the London Public Library
organization is made up entirely of volunteers. The Library’s Board of Directors are
volunteers appointed by City Council who contribute expertise and time to planning for
the future and setting the goals to take us there. We really do count on our volunteers!
Library Board 2013
Josh Morgan, Chair
Councillor Nancy Branscombe
Councillor Matt Brown
Jerry Colwell
Scott Courtice
Jeff Gillies (LDCSB)
German Gutierrez
Gloria Leckie
Donna Vachon (TVDSB)
Friends Celebrated 20 Years
September 2013 marked the 20th anniversary of the inaugural meeting of our Friends
volunteer advocacy and support group. Over the years Friends of the London Public
Library have raised over $1,000,000 to provide value-added programs, resources and
services to our community, with a special focus on children’s literacy programming and
resources. In addition to operating the annual Library Book Sale and The Library Store
at Central Library, the Friends run special author reading events, assist Library staff with
the annual A Book for Every Child® campaign and advocate the importance of the
Library in our community. We’re very lucky to have Friends like these!
Number of Library Volunteers: 380
Children who benefitted from one-on-one volunteer support with reading: 484