PCPL circulation declining in 2010

GREENCASTLE -- Since the beginning of the year, the Putnam County Public Library has been experiencing a slow decline in circulation.

"It seems to be all across the board," said PCPL Director Alice Greenburg.

May showed some improvement, Greenburg reported, with less of a decline than in previous months. In addition, June has been a hectic month for the library with an increase in door count.

"We've been keeping busy this month," Greenburg told the board members during their board meeting Wednesday.

However, the library didn't have a door counter last year, leaving her without comparable data to review. To help, board member Lynn Ramey suggested putting together a graph charting the trends of circulation and Internet usage. Ramey agreed to have something prepared for the board next month.

"I think a graph is much easier to read trends," Ramey said, and the others agreed.

Accountant Mark Hammer told board members the library's budget has remained in the black without inter-fund loans this year. There is about 54 percent of the budget left for the remaining year.

"You're right where you should be," he said. "You're even a few more percentage points above."

Under new business, the board signed a resolution to make the debt services fund dormant. The little more than $12,000 left in the fund will be transferred into the operating fund and be applied to next year's budget.

"Since we no longer have any bonds, we have no debt," said Greenburg about making the debt services fund inactive.

The board also approved a resolution for the issuance of library cards to local school and library employees who live outside the district at no charge. Greenburg said there had been a change in the law which prohibited certain residents outside the district to obtain library cards.

In addition, Greenburg told board members the current bond company will not be issuing public bonds and wanted to go over the treasurer's bond amount.

"State Board of Accounts recommends $15,000," Greenburg said.

The board voted to increase the bond amount to the maximum $20,000 at the same premium.