Maine Public Libraries FY2006
Summary
For the purposes of data reporting, Maine's public libraries are broken down into the following population categories:
- under 1,000
- 1,000-2,499
- 5,000-9,999
- 10,000-24,999
- 25,000 and greater.
Of the 272 public libraries included in this report, 69% are located in Legal Service Area under 5,000. Total Legal Service Area (LSA) in Maine is now at 1,244,856, leaving only 7% of Maine's population without library service. Of the 272 public libraries, 117 are in the Northeastern District serving a LSA of 351,709; 85 are in the Central District serving an LSA of 392,496; and 70 are in the Southern District serving an LSA of 495,233 (LSA's are unduplicated).
257 libraries have Trustee Associations. Of these Associations, 49 are considered Advisory, 80 Policy and 128 are both Policy and Advisory. The majority of trustees (53%) are elected into office. 114 libraries have Friends groups with a total membership of 7,860. 116 libraries are town/city departments and 127 are private/nonprofit organizations. 154 also have 5013c status as a nonprofit organization either through the library or through one of the related library associations.
Number of libraries with a written:
- Mission Statement: 225
- Long Range Plan: 115
- Disaster Policy: 72
- Personnel Policy: 175
- Job Description(s): 212
- Technology Plan: 186
- Collection Development Policy: 146
With the exception of Reference Transactions, all service levels have risen in two years. Total circulation for FY06 reached 9,015,518, a 4% increase in 2 years. Of that figure 2,810,645 (or 31%) was reported as Juvenile Circulation (some libraries do not break this figure down). Per Cap Circulation was 7.20.
Total collection figures have also risen. Total print collection for FY2006 was 6,331,603 with 1,654,247 reported as juvenile collection (46 libraries did not report a figure). Audio materials totaled 206,663 in libraries and video materials totaled 246,147, a combined increase of 25% in two years. Libraries housed 11,018 print subscriptions and 14 libraries had 238 electronic subscriptions. Only 12 libraries report having e-books. 42 libraries report having databases outside of MARVEL.
In FY06, 5,825,861 patrons visited libraries, over a 72,000 increase in two years. Number of items circulated per library visit was 1.5 and number of users of electronic resources per library visit was .17.
26,305 programs were offered at Maine public libraries with an attendance of 454,411. Of these programs, 77% were children's programs and 75% of the attendance was for children's programming.
82% of Maine libraries are handicapped accessible and 90% have large print collections.
The average building size of Maine public libraries is 5,298 square feet.
With the help of the online statewide requesting program, Interlibrary Loan figures almost tripled in two years. Number of items borrowed increased from 80,470 in FY04 to 215,469 in FY06. ILL's provided went from 65,859 in FY04 to 209,616 in FY06.
Libraries in Maine have 2,572 computers with 1,319 of these available for public use. There were 1,004,817 users of electronic resources, an increase of 4% in 2 years. That’s approximately 762 uses per computer available to the public. Only 12 libraries do not have a computer. 82% of Maine libraries have and email address and 57% have a website (an 8% increase). 167 libraries have an automated system (24 Athena, 23 Follett, 34 Minerva, 36 Spectrum, 4 Triple I and the rest report other).
Libraries employed 1,224 people in FY06. Total FTE ALA-MLS librarians went from 147 in FY04 to 152 in FY06. 73 Library Directors have an MLS. The FTE figure for persons with the title of librarian went up from 323 in FY04 to 343 in FY06. Other FTE paid employees was down by slightly by 4 and Total FTE Paid Employees was up by 10 (693 reported in FY06). 3,156 people volunteered at Maine public libraries in FY06.
Total Operating Revenue was $35,702,918 (a per capita figure of 28.50) with 75% coming from local appropriations. Total Operating Expenditures were $35,486,930 (per cap 28.33) with 68% going to salaries.
Data Collection Summary
179 libraries completed their reports online this year and 67 submitted a paper report.
Twenty-three libraries did not submit an annual report this year. They are: Albert Church Brown Memorial Library (China), Berry Memorial Library (Buxton), Charleston Public Library, Cumston Public Library (Monmouth), East Blue Hill (Blue Hill), Glenburn Library, Hamlin Memorial Library (Paris), Jefferson Public Library, Lewis Dana Hill Memorial Library (Lovell), Lyndon Oak Memorial Library (Garland), Mechanic Falls Public Library, Monhegan Memorial Library, New Portland Community Library, Norridgewock Free Public Library, North Monmouth Public Library (Monmouth), Otis Public Library, Owls Head Village Library, Parsonsfield Public Library, Phillips Public Library, Revere Memorial Library (Isle Au Haut), South Thomaston Public Library, Weld Public Library, Winterport Memorial Library. Of these libraries, Lyndon Oak, South Thomaston and Lewis Dana Hill have not submitted a report since FY04. Charleston and Glenburn have not submitted a report since FY02. For purposes of more accurate data reporting, these libraries are included in this report with their last reported fiscal information. However, for the federal report submitted in July, all information was reported as -1 (or not reporting). Several of these libraries receive free MSLN connections with federal e-rate funding.
Two libraries, Brownfield Public Library and Jackson Memorial Library completed partial reports online but did not submit them.
There are also a few libraries who submit reports without changing little, if any, of the figures from the previous year.
Seventy-seven libraries turned their reports in after the April 1st deadline; 31 were 20 days after the deadline and 16 were 30 days after the deadline.
Number of libraries who did not respond to the following questions:
- Estimated Space in Building: 18
- Library Visits: 24
- Reference Transactions: 54
- Total Print Collection: 3
- Total Circulation: 3
- Registered Patrons: 5
- Users of Electronic Resources: 30
