Here s Why A Report to the Community Pictured left

Here’s Why… 2003-2005 A Report to the Community Pictured left to right (back row): Grace Tucker, Nyama Marsh, Richard Dunning, Jesse Cleary, Lloris Frounfelter, Steven Clark, Debra Rubey, Gloria Royster, Brenda Harris, Marguerite Schmidt, Erica Foley, Diane O’Keefe, Sarah Brooks, Randy Farb; left to right (middle row) Autumn Zuniga, Phyllis Jenkins, Joan Washington, Wanda Harden, Myra Gullett, Catherine Lancaster, Leslie Acevedo, Julie McCullough, Linda Baksa, Connie Lajewski, Lucinda Long, Danielle Leepart, Sonya Meggs, Sheryl Dunn; left to right (front row) Lawrence Townsel, Tomika Price, Janet Trosino, Jacqueline White, Kathryn Schwartz, Laurie McAbee, Janet O’Keefe, Jennifer Roth Emkow, and Julilet Minard. See full staff list on back inside cover. From the Board President For many years, the Library has frequently taken advantage of great opportunities and has emerged, to say the least, a winner. Receiving the 2004 National Library Award for Excellence from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was special because it brought national recognition to the Flint Public Library for its many innovative programs and outstanding services. Winning this prestigious award was due in part to a great staff that is committed to providing excellent library programs and services to the community. In celebration of the City of Flint’s 150th birthday, we published a booklet entitled Albert Koerts and Koerts Glass: A Flint Institution. The booklet is an excerpt from the history of the Koerts’ family written by Captain Rinze K. Mast. Albert Koerts was a local businessman whose leadership and support contributed greatly to the City of Flint. Since the Library was founded in 1851, it too has played a vital role in Flint. For over 150 years, the Library has collected and provided access to local and worldwide information and ideas. The remarks about the Library made by Governor Henry M. Crapo in 1868, continue to ring true today—“…this institution cannot fail to have an influence in the community for good; but the extent of that will depend very much upon its patrons.” We greatly appreciate your vote of confidence and support for our very fine institution. It is an honor for me to share with you the Flint Public Library’s “Report to the Community 2003-2005.” Sally Kagerer Board President 1 Flint District Library Board Mrs. Sally Kagerer, President Orlando J. Roberts, Vice President* Mrs. Pamela Y. Loving Mrs. Cora Edmonds-Dixon, Secretary Ms. Debra Martin Mr. Robert MacDonald, Treasurer (deceased June 1, 2005)* Mrs. Caroline Panzer 2 From the Director Receiving the nation’s highest honor, the 2004 National Library Service Award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) confirmed that we have stayed true to our mission. Our programs and services increase access to the world’s ideas and information, and enhance the quality of life for all. At the time of the award, Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of IMLS stated, “The Flint Public Library exemplifies a keystone community institution. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is honored to include the 150-year old institution among the 2004 National Library Service Award winners. The library consistently combines outstanding service and innovative programming and outreach designed to meet the needs of a diverse and changing community.” This report to the community includes photographs representative of programs presented at the Library and will give you a sense of why we won the award. Although a picture may be worth a thousand words, it cannot tell the story behind what made an exhibit, program, project, or service successful. We won in part because of the generous financial support from the residents of the City of Flint. We had twenty years of dynamic leadership from retired director, Gloria J. Coles, a hard working staff, a dedicated Board of Trustees, and a devoted group of Friends. Also contributing to our success were many caring community partners and the consistent financial support from area foundations including the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Ruth Mott Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. Yes, it was rewarding to have national recognition for excellent library services. However, it was vital to have the support, commitment, and encouragement from our community. Thanks to you, we are a great public library! Jo Anne G. Mondowney Director 3 THE WINNING STORY July 2003-June 2005 One Book • One Community Four years ago, the Library mobilized an area-wide effort involving individuals, libraries throughout Genesee County, educational institutions and businesses, resulting in the One Book • One Community literary experience for the Flint/Genesee County Area. The program continues to encourage a sense of community through the shared activity of reading a book that serves as a stimulus for discussing community issues. Ruth White’s Memories of Summer, a book about a family in Flint in 1955, was the book of choice for 2005. Ruth White spoke at the Library in April. 8th Grade Girls’ Essay Contest Representatives of area organizations, whose missions emphasized the well-being of young girls, launched a successful 8th grade girls’ essay contest, now in its ninth year. Those organizations include the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the Flint Community Schools, Bank One of Michigan, the Genesee Intermediate Schools District, and Flint Area Chapter of the Links, Inc., the YWCA of Flint, and the Girl Scouts Fair Winds Council. The contest is designed for middle school girls, throughout Genesee County, to meet and be motivated by successful notable women throughout the world. It also inspires young women to look beyond their lives into the future, and to explore their interests, talents, and education. We received sixty-nine entries for the 2005 contest. The theme was “Familiar Images/ Hidden Messages: Advertising Images of Women.” Our guest speaker was Dr. Jean Kilbourne, nationally known for her work on images of women in advertising. Teen Productions In 2004, the Young Adult Library Services Association of the American Library Association recognized “Teen Productions” as one of the top twenty-five library programs of excellence in the nation. Numerous young people have enthusiastically embraced this summer program. It consists of a series of three-day workshops that allow teens to develop individual themes and ideas in the areas of writing, cartooning, digital photography, bookmaking, puppetry, and web page authoring. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration For the past twenty years, the Library has remained open to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 2005, nearly 400 people from the community gathered for an inspiring program that included music, a dramatic presentation of the “I Have A Dream” speech, and a motivational speech. Together attendees recited “The Dreamkeepers,” by Lillie Mae Carter, an annual salute and recommitment to Dr. King’s dream. 4 Racism Lecture Series Beginning in 1998 the Library presented forums that extended and expanded dialogues about race and racism. The series, generously funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, included prominent speakers and authors whose works confronted racism. In 2004, several hundred people attended the lectures. Manning Marable, one of the nation’s foremost historians and founder/director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University, provided an analysis of the politics of race and issues of class. Frank H. Wu, currently Dean of Wayne State University Law School, and author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White, which recast the ongoing debate about racial identity, exposing the seemingly positive myth of Asian Americans as the model minority. Diane McWhorter, Pulitzer Prize winner for Carry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: the Climatic Battle of Civil Rights Revolution told the story of her hometown and family’s involvement with the more violent proponents of Birmingham’s Jim Crow, bigotry, and the Ku Klux Klan. Walter Mosley, widely known for his works of fiction, shared his post September 11 views and strategies toward world peace documented in his book What Next: A Memoir Toward World Peace. Michigan Storytellers Festival This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Festival, an eagerly anticipated tradition in the Flint community. Under the big tent, the festival features nationally known storytellers such as 2005’s lineup of Milbre Burch, Rex Ellis, and Doc McConnell. These masters of the oral tradition entertained audiences of all ages with stories running the gamut, from belly laughing to heart wrenching. Several of Michigan’s best tellers of tall tales and even area children also shared their storytelling talents. Workshops were also an attraction for Festival goers. To begin the process of mining the memory for family stories, Milbre Burch presented a hands-on workshop entitled “I Use to Hear Them Say.” In his workshop, Rex Ellis shared storytelling techniques. Providing an opportunity to network for the community, area and master tellers, the Flint Area Storytellers hosted the annual Storytellers’ Breakfast. Project SOAR (Summer Opens Avenues to Reading) Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often slide backward. A conservative estimate is that the slide backward is roughly 22% of the previous year. Children can lose up to two months in reading skills without continuous reading over the summer. For over thirty years, the Library has offered the community a Summer Reading Club. Project SOAR was this year’s summer reading initiative designed with special incentives to keep children off the summer slide and to encourage multi-generational reading among children, teens, and adults. Participants were offered three themes —“Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds” for children; “Joust Read: Teen Summer Book Adventure,” for young adults; and “Summer Knight’s Read” for adults. 5 Winter Concert Series-Music in the Stacks “Sounds of the City—Celebrating Flint’s Sesquicentennial” was the theme for 2005’s “Winter Concert Series” which drew hundreds of appreciative concert goers to the Library on Sunday afternoons. Many danced in the aisles and alcoves to the big band sounds of the Ambassadors. They swayed and sang along with PRime Vocal Jazz. Easy listening was the order of the day for Matt Watroba’s folk tunes. The Velvelettes, Flint’s link to Motown, performed for a standing room only crowd. The Friends of the Library, the Greater Flints Arts Council, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs generously supported the series. Things Fall Apart and More: The Teaching of African Literature and Culture First in 2004 and then again in 2005 the Library formed a unique partnership with the University of Michigan-Flint’s Department of Africana Studies. As a result of the partnership, students, educators, and the general public gained in-depth knowledge about African literature and culture which featured Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and books by contemporary African writers. Nigerian born Buchi Emecheta (Joys of Motherhood, and Slave Girl) lectured about universal themes in her books—dignity as a woman, motherhood, marriage, culture and tradition. Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Kenya’s famous novelist and playwright, (Weep Not, Child, and Petals of Blood) spoke about growing up in an oppressive and segregated society. The Ruth Mott Foundation generously funded both programs. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me‘Round: The Power of Song Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, world-renowned singer-songwriter, educator, author, civil rights advocate and founder of the a cappella ensemble, “Sweet Honey in the Rock” served as the Library’s master-in-residence. The project exposed students and the community to the enriching aspects of songs of struggle and protest with emphasis on the Civil Rights Movement. Over a six-month period, Dr. Reagon worked with the Title I Children’s Choir and Verse Chorus from the Flint Community Schools. During that time, the young people learned several songs from that era, researched and exhibited artwork, poems, and essays at the Library. The project culminated in a concert attended by members throughout the community. The Ruth Mott Foundation generously funded this special project. Bookie Babies Pajama Storytime Parents and their unborn babies as well as newborns to 18 months and their caregivers benefited from this program. Adults learned language development strategies as their babies enjoyed fingerplays, rhymes, and seeing other babies. They also learned about appropriate types of books for their children, about effective ways to interact with babies through books. These activities fostered language development and strengthened visual clues. African American Quilt Show In 2004, the Flint African American Quilters’ Guild, in its 14th annual event, showcased over 100 items in their “Grandma’s Hands” exhibit. At the annual breakfast, cosponsored with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Flint Alumnae Chapter, Kyra Hicks, lectured based on her book, Black Threads: An African-American Quilting Sourcebook. Children and families experienced a quilt craft program. Guild members provided guided tours of the exhibit and participants made paper quilt squares. 6 Pictured (left to right) Sally Kagerer, President of the Flint District Library Board; Martres Brown, a graduate of Northern High School, member of the Gamma Delta Kudos and co-orator of the 2005 Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration “I Have A Dream Speech;” Mrs. Laura Bush, first lady of the United States; Jo Anne G. Mondowney, Director, Flint Public Library; and John Rhymes, coach and mentor for the Gamma Delta Kudos. We Won! Washington, D.C. – Mrs. Laura Bush presented the 2004 National Awards for Museum and Library Service to three museums and three libraries, including the Flint Public Library in a March 14, 2005 ceremony at the Hotel Washington, at 15th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW at 3:30 p.m. The awards are conferred annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to institutions that have demonstrated a perpetual, long-term commitment to public service through innovative programs and community partnerships. Each recipient has created educational initiatives to enlighten both everyday visitors and lifelong learners. Each has also shown a special ability to impact the lives of underserved children and adults and create a more enlightened and equitable society. “As a former schoolteacher and librarian, I know that museums and libraries are true treasures for discovery and learning,” Mrs. Bush said. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to recognize all of these wonderful institutions.” The IMLS selected the Flint Public Library for a number of reasons, including the extraordinary work of its dedicated staff, its wide array of offerings and its collaborative relationships with foundations and community groups. The library is also being recognized as a place for research, scholarship and personal advancement. With its extensive reference department, local history and genealogy resources, bookmobile and vast children’s collection, the Flint Public Library is a true testament to the power of lifelong learning. 7 Our Flint Public Library July 2003-June 2005 In Review The African Art Collection of Catherine C. Blackwell Issues of Race: Extending an Area Wide Conversation: Gloria Coles and Walter Mosley, author of What’s Next: A Memoir Toward Peace Manning Marable, one of the nation’s foremost historians and author of The Great Wells of Democracy: The Meaning of Race in American Life. Frank H. Wu, author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White. It’s pumpkin painting time! Diane McWhorter, author of Carry Me Home, Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution. Our Eighth Grade Girls’ Essay Contest winners and aviation pioneer, Bernice Trimble Steadman (third from left), daredevil pilot and one of the women who trained for the NASA Mercury Mission. Latino Mural Art with Dr. George Vargas 8 Flint’s own . . . Acclaimed Flint artist, Lavarne Ross donated the mural entitled, “ The African American Contribution to Labor. The African American Quilters’ Show— A favorite for 15 years. Arthur A. Busch, former Prosecuting Attorney, Genesee County, Michigan talked about his experience at the Supreme Court in October 2003. Storytimes bring joy to children and adults. Popular author and Flint native E. Lynn Harris came home to launch What Becomes of the Brokenhearted: A Memoir. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm talked with former Director, Gloria Coles (State Representative Jack Minore in the background) 25th Annual Michigan Storytellers Festival Retired Supervisor of Services to Children and Young Teens, Cynthia Stilley, coordinated the popular Michigan Storytellers Festival for many years. 9 One of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest friends during the Civil Rights Movement was Reverend Ralph David Abernathy. Abernathy’s daughter, Donzaleigh, shared family photos and memories in her book Partners to History. Cooking with Bryan A Magic Web Teen author Roland Smith discussed his book Zach’s Lie. Norm Bryant, founder of the Greater Flint African American [Sports] Hall of Fame Author Angela Johnson spoke with local students about becoming an author and about books, including First Part Last and Heaven. Board members (l-r) Caroline Panzer, Cora Edmonds-Dixon, Robert MacDonald and Board President, Sally Kagerer, dedicated the Black Life and Literature Collection to Gloria Coles. 10 Board President, Sally Kagerer and Vice President, the late Orlando Roberts confirmed the sale of the Flint Public Library for $1 from the Flint Board of Education. Advertising Pioneer, Jean Kilbourne spoke at our Eighth Grade Girl’s Essay Program. We upgraded our computers! D-Knowledge a professor and author from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor presented during Poetry month, April 2004. We celebrated the work of Isaac Bashevis Singer. Buchi Emechita, African author of The Joys of Motherhood, discussed culture and being a female writer. 11 One Book • One Community 2004 author James McBride The Color of Water Bishop Tutu greeted our community. In honor of the city’s 150th anniversary, we printed a booklet on the life and work of Albert Koerts. In memory of librarian, the late Charyl Frounfelter, we restored an early map of Genesee County. They were really ‘singing something’—Flint’s own link to Motown, The Velvelettes, known for hits like He was Really Saying Something, and Needle in a Haystack, performed during our Winter Concert Series 2005. The concert series was cosponsored annually with the Friends of the Flint Public Library. Ambassadors Big Band Martin Luther King Jr., Day, celebration with Martres Brown (left) and Adrian Walker (right). PRime Vocal Jazz Matt Watroba 12 African author, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, discussed his book Weep Not, Child and The River Between. The Power of Song: Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round, a musical journey through the Civil Rights Movement with Bernice Johnson Reagon, and the Flint Community School’s Title One Choir. Betty DeRamus author of Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad Vocalist, Antwaun Stanley Ruth White author of Memories of Summer 2005 author for One Book • One Community Narrators from the Kappa Leadership League and Gamma Delta Kudos Martres Brown, Cordeo Garrett, Ken Frierson and Adrian Walker. Violinist, Gareth Johnson Summer Opens Avenues to Reading the “umbrella brand” for our summer reading programs. Graphic by staff member Emanuel Johnson Author Eric Jerome Dickey (center) and local members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Mr. Dickey read from his manuscript for Genevieve. Matthew Lesko, “Mr. Information” gave helpful hints on how to find grants and money for almost anything. 13 Our beloved guinea pig “Dovey” retired. BY THE NUMBERS STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING June 30, 2005 Sources of Operating Funds Property Taxes Grants and Memorials State Aid and Penal Fines Interest Income Other TOTAL REVENUE Distribution of Funds Personnel Operations Maintenance Grants and Memorials TOTAL EXPENDITURES STATE OF THE LIBRARY – July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005 TOTAL ANNUAL HOURS OF SERVICE ACTIVE REGISTERED BORROWERS REFERENCE QUESTIONS LIBRARY PROGRAMS LIBRARY PROGRAM ATTENDANCE LIBRARY VISITS CIRCULATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS LIBRARY COLLECTION 8,154 52,374 87,532 1,287 124,092 356,381 336,446 450,668 $3,597,329 1,187,478 355,008 108,193 $5,248,008 $4,692,525 201,436 237,929 33,064 157,847 $ 5,322,801 14 Friends Board, April 2005 Frances Faithful President Frankie Hardy Vice President Shirley Johnson Secretary Susan Sobol Treasurer Peggy Berge Thelma Brazle-Day Ernestine Holmes Sally Pierson Lessie Rhymes Deotis Tucker Yvonne Tucker The Friends of the Flint Public Library, founded in 1952, is a nonprofit group of citizens who work together to support the Library’s programs and services. They provide direct financial assistance by purchasing special items. The Friends raise money through membership dues, book sales, gift shop sales, and special events. It was smooth sailing with the Friends on the Genesee Belle. The Friends Gift Shop sells everything from books to gift items to stationery needs. Children enjoyed the new playscape furniture sponsored by the Friends. Friends enjoyed a night at the races! Friends participated in “One Book • One Community.” 15 16 Flint Public Library Staff Leslie Acevedo Linda Baksa Victor Barnett Raymond Barton Mario Booker FaLessia Howard Booker Sarah Brooks Jacqueline Carrasco Margaret Carrizales Steven Clark Jesse Cleary David Cuneaz Gwendolyn Davis-Prescott Sherry Depew Sheryl Dunn Richard Dunning Jennifer Roth Emkow Randy Farb Erica Foley Lloris Frounfelter Heather Garrison Myra Gullett Quiana Harden Wanda Harden Brenda Harris Alonzo Hill Krisann Hohn Lisa House Alvin Jackson Phyllis Jenkins Dorothy Johnson Emanuel Johnson Jenny Jones Catherine Lancaster Connie Lajewski Rachel Laurie Danielle Leepart Lucinda Long Laurie McAbee April McGee Michael Madden Ann Manko Nyama Reed Marsh Sonya Meggs Juliet Minard Julie McCullough Jo Anne G. Mondowney Linda Oaklander Diane O’Keefe Janet O’Keefe Preston Perry Tomika Price Cheryl Richards Tiffani Richmond Gloria Royster Debra Rubey Kathryn Schwartz Mercedea Shriver Philip Skeltis Marguerite Schmidt Lawrence Townsel Janet Trosino Grace Tucker Carmen Walker Vickie Walker Joan Washington Tammi Washington Angela Wesch Jacqueline White Robert White Autumn Zuniga * Staff as of January 2005 names may reflect changes through February 2006 The Flint District Library Board Mrs. Sally Kagerer, President Mrs. Cora Edmonds-Dixon, Secretary Mr. Robert MacDonald, Treasurer Mrs. Pamela Y. Loving Mrs. Caroline Panzer Ms. Debra Martin Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Flint, MI Permit No. 917 1026 E. Kearsley Street Flint, Michigan 48502 www.fpl.info (810) 232-7111 Jo Anne G. Mondowney, Director Thanks Flint Public Library Community! It takes a great public to make a public library great!