[OPLINLIST] Zero Balance

Wed Nov 12 15:23:55 EST 2008

We have been doing "food for fines" from Thanksgiving until Christmas for 
years.  As you said, it's worth its weight in gold in good will.  Half of 
the food we collect goes to the Ottawa County Holiday Bureau, and the other 
half goes to a local food pantry.  Many folks actually donate items as well 
as pay the fines.  I send letters to the area churches every year about the 
program and they usually put the letter in their church newsletter.  I also 
notify the schools.
Also, we never purchase bookbags unless there is a special occasion like 
Nat. Library Week or Summer Reading - the staff usually brings in their 
plastic bags from their own purchases.
I also had coffee and cups(they have the name of the coffee shop on them) 
donated by the local coffee shop for book discussion, and our Christmas 
party is generally a brunch at my house with everybody bringing something.
I do think that in spite of the fact that Ohio libraries have been very well 
financed, we have been good stewards of the public's money.
Georgi Huizenga
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nancy Levin" <nlevin at heightslibrary.org>
To: <huizenge at oplin.org>; "Mark Mabelitini" <mabelima at oplin.org>
Cc: <oplinlist at oplin.org>; "Susan Pieper" <susanhillpieper at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 10:32 AM
Subject: RE: [OPLINLIST] Zero Balance

I agree, in fact in recognition of these hard times we are accepting
"Food for Fines" in November. 1 can of food for the Heights Emergency
Food Bank is worth a dollar of fines. It is proving quite popular. The
total will probably add up to $1500 of fines, easily found if I cut a
database that gets 40 hits a year. Worth it's weight in gold in good
will.

Nancy S. Levin
Director/ Fiscal Officer
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights Ohio 44118
216-932-3600 ext. 240
nlevin at heightslibrary.org    www.heightslibrary.org

-----Original Message-----
From: oplinlist-bounces at oplin.org [mailto:oplinlist-bounces at oplin.org]
On Behalf Of huizenge at oplin.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 7:21 PM
To: Mark Mabelitini
Cc: oplinlist at oplin.org; Susan Pieper
Subject: Re: [OPLINLIST] Zero Balance

Mark,
You make some very good points.  We are very fortunate that we have a
supportive community, and quite often folks will give more money when
they have a fine, or make a copy, and say "put it in the kitty." or
something like that.  I, too, hate to punish our patrons when times are
bad - times are bad for them, too.  In fact, we don't charge fines for
Sr. Citizens or for children under 16 - good will is worth a lot! Though
like many small libraries, we don't have the luxury of finding corporate
sponsors very often.  We have a number of local businesses in town, but
they are really getting hit up by the school organizations and others.
This is a challenging time for all of us, but most of us can't really
run our libraries on fines. Georgi Huizenga, Harris-Elmore Public
Library

> Hi everyone,
>
> THIS really got me to thinking.
>
> Yes, we are all facing some tough times, along with cities and
> schools. However, I think we need to come at this from a completely
> different angle, because I really do not think this is the way to go.

> First, you will not collect any more money. Second, those folks you
> turn away will NOT be back, or will not be back for a very long time.
>
> No, focusing on cuts is not the answer.  I believe we must focus on
> revenues.  In the process of preparing our budget, I asked the Fiscal
> Officer to take mostly from materials and supplies (including for
> programs).  I did this because people love to contribute for books or
> sponsor programs, and I plan to make up quite a bit of this lost
> revenue. I am not about to cut hours and I am certainly not
> entertaining laying off or getting rid of staff.  You can replace
> materials or be more creative with programs, but you cannot replace
> the people who make the library what it is.
>
> Besides, I'm not talking about nickels and dimes.  No, I'm talking
> about corporate sponsorships and other partnerships.  The 2009 Summer
> Reading Program brought to you by XYZ company.  At the Innovative
> Environments conference last week there were 2 good programs on this,
one on
> fundraising and one on public/private partnerships.   So, I'm looking
for
> those partnerships and not just for next year, but lasting
> partnerships.
>
> We cannot let our organizations be defined by our funding. No, we need

> to figure what we want to do, put a price on it, SUBTRACT that amount
> from what we will get in funding, and get busy making up the
> difference.
>
> No more hand-wringing, no more lamenting our budgets getting cut
> again.
>
> Okay, we CAN collect more fines.   Have a "Pay your fines week."  Let
> patrons know we are facing a reduction in funding and if they want to
> help, stop in and pay any fines they may owe.  I bet you will get some
> contributions too.   Right now on my desk is a check for $150 from a
> couple that gave that amount last year and the year before.  Over the
> next few weeks I will get several more checks from regular donors.
>
> People like to support us.  They contribute and pay their fines (okay,

> MOST of 'em do!). They will continue to support us, especially if they

> know we need their help.  Should we turn around and do something
> punative that will drive them away?
>
> Mark
>
> Mark Mabelitini, Director
> Tipp City Public Library
> 11 E. Main St.
> Tipp City, Ohio 45371
> (937) 667-3826 (office)
> (937) 667-7968 (fax)
> www.tippcitylibrary.org
>
>
>
>
>
>> Hello all:
>> We are forced to take drastic steps over here in Black Swamp land.
> Effective
>> December 1st, no patron will be allowed to borrow library materials,
>> or use library computers unless they have a "zero balance". Big
>> sigh... can't
> believe I'd see it in my lifetime. Also, we are starting to use a
> collection
>> agency. Gotta cut the budget by close to $100K. These are tough
>> times,
> indeed...
>> Best,
>> Susan
>>
>> --
>> Susan Pieper, Director
>> Paulding County Carnegie Library
>> 205 S. Main Street
>> Paulding, OH 45879
>> 419-399-2032 voice and 419-399-2114 fax
>> Editor, Rural Library Services Newsletter
>> www.pauldingcountylibrary.org www.myspace.com/pauldingcountylibrary
>> susanhillpieper at gmail.com
>> ALA Councilor-At-Large (2007-2010)
>> ALA-APA Councilor (2007-2010)
>> PLA Board of Directors
>> ARSL Board Member ex-officio
>> (Association for Rural & Small Libraries)
>> _______________________________________________
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