An Overview of Winnefox Member Library Activities in 2002

2002 was a successful year for our member libraries. Most of them saw modest to substantial increases in circulation. Overall circulation increased by 6.20% over 2001. This increase in library use is an established trend; in the past 3 years circulation has increased by almost 16%.

Circulation to rural residents, those not living in a municipality that supports a library, has increased almost as much. In 2002 rural circulation increased by 5.8% over 2001; in the past 3 years rural circulation has increased by 14.5%.

Programming is a traditional library service and all Winnefox member libraries offer programs for children or adults, or both. 90,133 people attended 3,517 library programs in 2002.

Three libraries—Pine River, Endeavor, and Redgranite—started circulating on the WALS system. In addition, three more libraries—Brandon, Neshkoro, and Kingston—connected to the network with T-1 lines.

Member libraries used two Federal LSTA grants to improve services to special needs populations. Under the Special Needs grant member libraries purchased over 750 books, videos, and other materials for Spanish speaking youth. Under the Technology grant, 17 libraries were received assistive technology to make it easier for persons with disabilities to use computers and the Internet. Winnebago County libraries received a county grant to purchase materials to purchase materials to help non-English-speaking persons learn English.

We welcomed two new library directors, two not-so-new directors, and an interim director to Winnefox in 2002. Val Husom became director of the Leon-Saxeville Public Library and Marie Boleman director of the Hancock Public Library. Ken Hall left Winnefox and became director of the Fond du Lac Public Library and Carol Cate, former director of the Poy Sippi Public Library, returned to that position. Nancy Stellmacher became interim director of the Markesan Public Library when Lucy Hazelwood began a year-long leave of absence to do mission work in Papua New Guinea.