In 1998, the ten-year anniversary of the Garfield Library of Brunswick, the Library enjoyed very strong progress in all areas except funding and space. Key indicators went up, the library added a third night of service, the book and audio collections grew, public computer services arrived, and many small and large changes have enlivened the Library and resulted in better service to our patrons.

Funding and space problems affect our ability to provide quality services. We are the third largest library service area in Rensselaer County, but we also have the third smallest library budget and the smallest space. Staffing has improved: we have almost two paid staff on duty at any one time. We can be proud of how far we have gone in a decade!

We have gone from two to five computers. We now provide public Internet access, and are more than halfway through our project to move our card catalog onto the Upper Hudson database. We can instantly request books for patrons through our computer connection.

Circulation (materials checked out) is up 10% from 1997. Circulation is a very important indicator of library health.

Audiobook and video circulation increased over 30%.

Money and space create a glass ceiling for our overall growth in circulation—we circulate 2 books per capita, compared to the county average of 8.

More money translates to more books (and more circulation). Although we weeded almost 1,000 items, our collection grew by over 400 items. We now buy all best-sellers, and devote over 5% of our budget to audiobooks.

We had 71 programs this year, with preschool story hour accounting for almost 60% of overall attendance. Space limits programming.

Grants, member items from Assemblyman Casale and Senator Bruno, gifts, donations, and support from the Friends of the Library totalled over $30,000 in 1998. Grantwriting pays off--the Library has already been awarded $8900 in grants for 1999.