July 2, 2008
Summer in Swing
We're in the heat of summer and the Orange County Library System offers many opportunities to chill out and cool off. Join us for the opening of an art exhibit with an Asian twist. This month's Art After Hours, An Evening of Asian Inspiration, features the work of five area artists. In addition to presenting work from Asian artists, there will also be Asian food and live entertainment wraps up the evening on an Asian note. It's happening Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library.
Then on July 12, it's Tiki Time at the Library! Retreat from the heat and treat your family to a luau at the Orlando Public Library. Enjoy island games, prizes, sweet treats and a virtual surfing contest. Presented by the Friends of the Library, this event is July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. when Library Central transforms into a Hawaiian paradise.
Is your lawn losing its luster? Then you won't want to miss Lawn Irrigation 101 at the West Oaks Branch on July 19 at 11 a.m. Learn tricks for greener, healthier grass and how you can grow a lovely lawn using environmentally conscious irrigation methods.
We also have a change in meeting room use for which we are planning. If you are a meeting room user or plan to use them in the future, see this important message!
Finally, I encourage everyone to mark their calendars for Friday evening, September 19. That's when Bright House Networks will present Seymour Hersh, one of America's finest investigative journalists, at the Orlando Public Library. He has been honored with numerous awards including a Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. Hersh has written several books and his most recent bestseller, Chain of Command: The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib, has made him once again a subject of national and international attention. Tickets for this event go on sale this month and will be available online at www.ocls.info.
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June 1, 2008
Summer Reading Around the Corner
It's hard to believe that summer is here. School's out and we invite all our students to join us for a fun-filled Summer Reading Program. We have a variety of interesting programs on tap, and we encourage all children and teens to take part and reap the rewards of reading during summer vacation.
June is a time for celebrations and hot new fashions. The folks from InStyle Fashions will visit several branches this month to share the hottest trends in fashion and beauty.
Did you know that June is Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month? In honor of the month, Candy's Cats with host The Cat's Meow at the South Creek Branch Library on Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. Please join in this informational pet program for the chance to adopt your very own new feline friend.
Also this month, we are excited to announce our new curriculum of Mac classes. Learn Mac basics and explore the iWork and iLife suites of multimedia applications. Attend one of these exciting new Mac classes at the Main Library downtown.
Visit any of our 15 locations and load up on just-released titles and bestsellers for all your beach reading. One of our hot picks this month is Calling Home by award-winning writer Janna McMahan. Better yet, hear from McMahan firsthand when she gives a talk and book signing at the Orlando Public Library on Saturday, June 7 at 11:30 a.m. We hope to see you at this program or any of the other sensational summer diversions at your library this season.
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director/CEO
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May 1, 2008
Spring into Learning!
Here at OCLS we like to "Make the Grade". Find our Report Card to you here. Learn how your Library is stacking up! We think you'll be very proud of your home town library!
Planning a summer trip to a far off location? Brush up on your language skills with our Tell Me More language learning database. Easy online sign up from home gives you access to lessons and practice in languages including German, Italian, French and Spanish. Grab your library card number and PIN and start the adventure.
If politics are your thing, you'll want to hear popular pundit Craig Crawford who regularly appears on cable for CNBC and MSNBC. On Friday, May 9, Crawford will be appearing at the Southwest Branch Library for a social after-hours talk.
Another event you won't want to miss is the Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale on May 16, 17 and 18. Everything in the Bookstore (3rd floor of the Orlando Public Library downtown) is 50 percent off, and members enjoy an additional 10 percent off. Not a member yet? There's still time to join! This is your chance to stock up on titles for beach reading and all your summer reading needs.
It's May and it's marvelous at the Orange County Library System! Finally to all the "Moms" out there celebrating Mother's Day this month, we're sending you our very best wishes. Enjoy your special day!
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director/CEO
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April 1, 2008
Property Tax Reform Update
This message is part of our continuing effort to keep you informed regarding the impact of recent property tax reform legislation, including Amendment 1, on the Library's FY 09 budget, which begins October 1, 2008.
The previous update indicated our very rough projection of the shortfall for next year's budget was around $3.5 million. That remains our best estimate at this point while the true impact will not be known until the Property Appraiser releases the preliminary property values at the end of May. The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which has the authority to place additional property tax reform and budget amendments on the November 2008 ballot, is actively considering a number of proposals, the effects of which are still being evaluated.
Since the last update, we have solicited both your input and that of our staff. After considering the responses to our surveys and your comments, the Library Board of Trustees was presented with a wide variety of options to address the anticipated shortfall for next fiscal year. These options were addressed at the March Board meeting, at which time the Library Board was asked to select items totaling about $5,000,000 and prioritize them. The following items, which were recommended by the Library Administration, were approved by the Library Board and will be used as guidelines when preparing the FY 09 budget:
Increased Revenues
Implement account settlement thresholds $300,000
Primarily, this requires that a patron's account be paid in full once it reaches $10.
Increase fees and fines $157,000
While both this item and the previous account threshold issue help reduce the projected shortfall, property tax reform was not the impetus for the proposed changes. Rather, it has been over six years since we last evaluated and increased our fees and thus, it was time to adjust them to reflect market conditions and the cost of doing business. Fees were not increased across the board but rather, were carefully reviewed and adjusted on an individual basis.
Pursue lease of Chickasaw Trail property $160,000
Property, including a former State Farm office building, was purchased in 2006 to be remodeled and opened as an additional branch library. Due to property tax reform, funds to operate a future branch are not currently available. In order to generate some revenue and hold the location for a possible future branch, the intent is to try to lease the space for a short period (3 - 5 years).
Decreased Spending
Increase funding period for retiree health care $311,000
A recent governmental accounting standard requires all local governments to reflect the cost of this benefit during the employee's tenure rather than deferring the cost to when the employee retires. After determining the actuarial liability for this benefit, the Library elected to fund the obligation over a ten year period to reduce the overall cost. Similar to a mortgage, the shorter the period, the higher the annual payments but the lower the overall cost. Instead of continuing with a 10 year funding period, this option will increase the funding period to 15 years, which will result in lower annual payments.
Eliminate funding for future branches $4,000,000
In 2006, the Library prepared a Branch Development Plan which consisted of five new branch libraries to better serve the ever growing population of the Library District. By carving $4,000,000 annually out of the Library's Operating Budget and segregating these funds for future branch development, we had planned to construct/purchase three new branch libraries over an eight year period and operate them.
The above items will be incorporated into our FY 09 budget.
Both your responses to our survey as well as your comments were very helpful when we were evaluating options to address the projected shortfall. Our staff has also been helpful in providing a laundry list of ideas to address the property tax reform issue. We encourage you, our customers, to continue sending us your thoughts and comments. Tell us what you think!
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March 1, 2008
We Need Your Opinion
The Library made a commitment to keep you informed regarding the impacts of property tax reform on the Library's budget. We respect the public's decision on January 29, 2008 to approve Amendment 1 to further reduce property taxes. The purpose of this message is to give you a projected impact of property tax reform on the library and how we are making plans for the future.
The impact of the property tax reform approved by the Legislature last June, Amendment 1, as well as normal inflationary increases on the cost of doing business is an expected $3.5 million shortfall in the Library's expected revenue. Our figures are preliminary since the real impact or the property tax reform measures will not be known until the end of May when the Property Appraiser's office releases the preliminary updated property values. Until that time, we will continue to seek and review options to decrease costs and increase revenues. All items are on the table and under consideration. As we continue with this process, we are also mindful that the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is making proposals which could affect the Library's budget in future years.
An important part of our planning is dialog with staff, the Library Board of Trustees, and you, the Library user. As Library Director, I have held a series of meetings with nearly 200 staff members to date to gather their ideas and input regarding how the Library might address the shortfall for next fiscal year which begins October 1, 2008. Our staff are a very dedicated and knowledgeable group and have shown great thought and creativity to continue providing the quality of service for which the Library is so well known.
We need to hear from you as well. It is important to understand where you prefer your service dollars to go and we ask that you take this brief survey to help us.
Mary Anne Hodel
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February 1, 2008
Winter Got You Down? Let the Library Help!
It's hard to believe we are already in the second month of 2008. They say time flies when you're having fun . . . and there's plenty of February fun for you to join in at the Orange County Library System this month. It's time to "stomp the yard" when OCLS hosts the 3rd Annual Step Off Competition featuring the talents of middle and high school step teams from across Orange County. It's happening Saturday, February 23 at 2 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library. You won't want to miss the excitement of this event which is always a big hit.
February is also the annual observance of Black History Month, a time to recognize the achievements, contributions and culture of African Americans. In celebration of the occasion, OCLS will present a special lineup of programs honoring and exploring African-American history. You're invited to sample a taste of true soul food at the West Oaks Branch on February 2 or hear from best-selling African-American author Carl Weber at the Orlando Public Library on February 12. For a complete listing of Black History Month programs, please see pages 14 and 15 of this newsletter.
Valentine's Day also falls in February and we continue to bring you many reasons to love your library. Sign up for our new convenient Text Alerts service and receive due date courtesy notices and class reminders on your cell phone. You can also take free computer classes and enjoy newly released DVDs. If your busy life has you on the go, remember we are always available virtually. You can request home delivery, renew items, register for classes, tap into powerful databases and more - all from home or office. Happy February and I hope your New Year is off to a great start.
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director and CEO
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January 1, 2008
Greetings to 2008!
Happy New Year! May 2008 bring you health, happiness and success. Toward that end, the Orange County Library System will offer an impressive array of music, children’s and self-improvement programs this month so be sure to check out one that appeals to you.
As part of the StoryCorps oral history project, a sound-proof booth will be at the Orlando Public Library to record sessions from residents with a story to share. The StoryCorps airstream trailer will available for recording from January 10 to February 2.
There’s been quite a buzz about property tax reform lately and what it really means. Orange County Property Tax Appraiser Bill Donegan will discuss portability, increased homestead exemption, and other proposed changes on January 12 at 1 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library. Q & A session will follow his talk. Don’t miss the chance to hear how property tax reform could affect you.
Want to travel more in 2008? Then you won’t want to miss Travel Forecast with Today Show Travel Editor Peter Greenberg. It’s happening Friday, January 25 at 7 p.m. at the Orlando Public Library. Greenberg will share travel tips and tricks, as well as insights from his newest book The Traveler’s Diet: Eating Right and Staying Fit on the Road.
Stock up on bestsellers, children’s books, rare and out-of-print titles, cookbooks, travel books and more at the Friends of the Library Winter Book Sale. Everything will be an incredible 50 percent off. Sale runs Friday, January 25 through Sunday, January 27. Members of the Friends of the Library receive an additional 10 percent off and also get first dibs at bargains at the Preview Sale on Thursday evening, January 24. Why not join the Friends of the Library in 2008 and enjoy all the benefits of membership – starting with the sale? Happy shopping!
Mary Anne Hodel
Library Director/CEO
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