Magnolia Springs Public Library celebrates a good year

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 8/30/18

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS – The Town of Magnolia Springs is working on the upcoming 2019 budget, and one aspect of that is funds towards their local public library. Along with the budget set by the council, …

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Magnolia Springs Public Library celebrates a good year

Posted

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS – The Town of Magnolia Springs is working on the upcoming 2019 budget, and one aspect of that is funds towards their local public library. Along with the budget set by the council, the Friends of the Library remain hard at work to boost their library and create a place where all ages can gather, learn, participate, and most importantly, read.

“We’ve had a great year, and our librarian Elise Nodar has been a major part of it,” said Lolly Turner. “I want to share with you what the Friends of the Library accomplished. It’s important for the council to know that while they provide the salary, rent, and other necessities, we are also sharing the load.”

During 2018, the Magnolia Springs Public Library used approximately $4,400 on leasing programs to help keep the library stocked with new books. The library uses Baker & Taylor, a leasing program that provides the newest and most popular books for only half the cost of a new book.

“Besides the benefit on the price, this also enables us to keep the books moving so we’re not taking up space, which is a high commodity at our library,” said Turner.

Along with the new books purchased to remain in the library, the total cost spent is approximately $7,240 per year for books, audiobooks, and eBooks.

The Friends of the Library belong to a discount program for technology and supplies, and during 2018 they purchased a new and updated website to make things simpler for the library as well as the patrons. Along with three computers, a fax system, Internet, security, and filters, the library spends around $644 on technology, which Turner states is a low cost considering. Another cost they handle is office supplies, which equals to approximately $785 a year.

“We also spend on staff development,” said Turner. “We were able to send Elise Nodar to the National Library Association Conference this year. We were blessed it was in New Orleans, so it was close enough. Elise also attends six state and local meetings a year to keep up with what she has to know in order to run the library.”

Sixteen adult volunteers and five youth volunteers help to make the library’s programs possible, which besides the books are one of the biggest draws to the library. The Magnolia Springs Public Library offers a Summer Reading Program, which had 20 participates this year, as well as seasonal craft programs, American Girl History programs, celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, a Back to School celebration, two book clubs, visits from Stray Love Foundation animals, and Nitwits.

“I’m not exaggerating when I say that Friends of the Library provided a little over $10,000 this past year to the library,” said Turner.

Turner presented the most recent circulation statistics for 2018, which were favorable for Magnolia Springs.

“For all those who have a Magnolia Springs Library Card and however many books they check out, it goes through a computer,” Turner said. “This is the review of how many of our patrons are using the library. We come in behind Foley as number two in the county. That’s amazing. So we are celebrating it, we are proud of the high standards that we are able to maintain, and hope to keep them in place.”

To learn more about all the Magnolia Springs Public Library has to offer, you can visit their website at www.magnoliaspringslibrary.org.