By PAULENE POPARAD

Westchester Public Library Board members spent considerable time Thursday in President Neal Mortensen’s words “brainstorming” about the library system’s present and future.

A key challenge, said WPL Director Phil Baugher, is reaching more young adults and having the library remain relevant for patrons who increasingly are pursuing solitary interests or are just too busy to make time for a library visit.

Using a popular SWOT business model, the board evaluated WPL’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Armed with the exercise’s comments and observations, Baugher now will prepare an update of the library’s long-range plan with specific proposals for the board to review.

Mortensen said it was encouraging that there are no immediate threats to the library, which has rebounded from a financial crisis in 2001 when Bethlehem Steel, the district’s largest taxpayer, went bankrupt and the property taxes that finance WPL operations went unpaid. Bethlehem subsequently was sold to Mittal Steel.

If not a true threat, a major concern voiced last night is the diversion of funding for statewide library services from INCOLSA, a 700-member institution representing WPL and other Hoosier public and private libraries, to the Indiana State Library. INCOLSA and ISL have entered into an understanding that Baugher said offers no guarantees INCOLSA’s full range of current services would be continued.

The joint agreement allows ISL to offer for contract “most” of the statewide services currently funded with state and federal funds, “comparable” other services and “some” professional development services. ISL maintains the changes will allow it to explore opportunities for greater efficiencies, and for improved and additional services.

ISL reserves the right to add or delete from a list of services to be bid, and pledges to offer uninterrupted continuation of present levels of funding and service. INCOLSA is being encouraged to bid on the vendor contract.

Since INCOLSA already has reached agreement with the state, Baugher said, “We can’t fight someone’s battle when they don’t want you to.”

Strengths overcome threats?

The SWOT exercise revealed WPL enjoys a number of strengths, among them its community and volunteers; growing economy, large assessed valuation and ability to levy its own tax rate; supportive appointing authorities for a conscientious Library Board; larger-than-average facilities for the base population served; excellent staff and strong leadership; an accessible, user-friendly collection of relatively current material; a good range of services; diverse programming; and better access to a good range of technological services than many other libraries WPL’s size.

Each strength had a potential weakness, and each opportunity a possible threat.

Even though WPL’s buildings are large and it operates a museum in the leased historic Brown Mansion, space and parking overall are limited and the original buildings are somewhat dated and landlocked. The library’s Westchester Township district can’t grow, yet non-resident populations around the district are growing rapidly and requesting library service.

Regarding technology, it constantly must be upgraded yet it moves rapidly and is expensive; potential censorship attempts and system security are additional issues. But the library has the opportunity to continue becoming the community’s “hot spot” for technology, said Baugher, as evidenced by its recent installation of wireless access for patrons and helping to develop the community’s online identity.

WPL attorney Terry Hiestand said in the future WPL may wish to offer streaming Internet video or programs on local cable access channels. He also suggested better educating parents about how their children can use WPL’s many services.

The library’s staff drew praise. Said Library Board member Vern Odom, “They’re creative, not afraid to try new things.” Member Sharon Robbins observed staff members are very supportive of one another. Nevertheless, some key staffers are approaching retirement and others may be tempted to leave for higher-paying jobs. Improved staff training and continued support to obtain library degrees were recommended.

Baugher said WPL is in the midst of volatile times with Porter County unable to get its property-tax bills out on time and the prospect of some day having the Indiana General Assembly possibly change how libraries are funded, mandate elected library boards or even consolidation or merger of library districts.

“How can our community afford to contribute for library services?” Baugher asked the board. “I have to count on you to be the voice of the community.”

Member Rick Hokanson asked if anything would be gained by inviting area leaders, elected officials and legislators to meet with the board and learn about WPL. “We need to promote our situation. Right now they don’t even know (us). It’s a relationship-building process.”

Cold freezes circulation?

In other business the board voted 6-1 with member Karen Nash absent to purchase a Ford E-250 cargo van for $16,500 from Lake Shore Ford in Burns Harbor. It will replace the aging WPL van.

The board also reviewed its $150 fee for use of the library by non-township residents and it was renewed without change. Active non-resident borrowers are listed as 3,309 and active resident borrowers as 10,379.

Perhaps because of the weather, WPL circulation uncharacteristically dipped by less than 1 percent in January over the same month last year.

Nevertheless 33,682 materials were circulated year-to-date and 15,498 visits made to WPL’s web page. There were 1,468 visitors at Hageman Library; 13,810 at Thomas Library; 306 at the Library Service Center; and 610 at the WPL-operated Westchester Township History Museum, all visitations less than January, 2006.

Baugher reported that WPL’s cash position remains strong with $3,975,098 cash on hand and $3.3 million of that in investments.

Posted 2/9/2007