Annual Reports

The State of the Library, 2021

  • In 2021, the number of books, eBooks, audiobooks, large print books, etc., borrowed by our community grew by 15% to a total of 511,935 check-outs system wide, including:
Bowling Green - 342,250 Walbridge - 42,022
Bookmobile - 8,273 WC Jail Library - 5,373
E-books/Digital Content - 114,017  
  • Number of cardholders is 22,842.
  • We offered 448 programs attended by 12,098 people:
    • 103 adult programs with 1,570 attendees.
    • 345 youth programs with 10,526 attendees.
  • The library owns a collection of 198,589 physical items.
    • 12,537 physical items were added.
    • Plus, 3,112 digital items were added.
    • 8,114 physical items were withdrawn.

2021 Highlights:

  • The Foundation’s No-Show Novel Night appeal raised over $110,000 for the purchase of new books, audiobooks, eBooks, large print books, and picture books.
  • Author visits: Carole Lindstrom & Michaela Goade, Nancie McDermott, Hannah Dennison, Susan Meissner, Beth Harbison, David Biedrzycki
  • Over 9,000 COVID-19 Test Kits were distributed to the community.
  • Expanded outreach services and home delivery throughout our service district.
  • Creation of our digital collection, WCDPL OverDrive.
  • We continued to serve the community during uncertain delivery situations by partnering with local Woodlink libraries and forming our own hub for sharing materials.
  • New ways of getting books to patrons included book bundles and personalized reading suggestions.

2021 Revenue:

Source: Amount: Percentage:
State Public Library Fund $1,806,373 57.16%
Local Levy $1,113,628 35.24%
Fees, Misc. $25,332 0.80%
Foundation & Friends  $214,997 6.80%
 Total  $3,160,330  

 

2021 Expenditures:

Category: Amount:   Percentage:
Personnel $1,684,934 62.01%
Print & Digital Materials $449,552 16.55%
Supplies  $44,943 1.65%
Services $444,084 16.34%
FFE & Technology   $77,906 2.87%
Other $15,607 0.57%
Total  $2,717,026  

      ____________________________________________________

  • 0.8 mill, 5-year levy passed in November 2010 with 58% approval.
  • Levy RENEWED for 6 years in November 2014 with 70% approval.
  • Levy RENEWED for 6 years in November 2020 with 73% approval.
  • Levy funding accounts for 40% of the library’s tax revenue support.
  • The current levy will next be on the ballot in November 2026.

 

  • State funding for libraries is set at 1.70% of General Revenue.
  • As the economy improves and state revenues grow, so does support for libraries. As General Revenue decreases (or is cut), so does support for libraries.
  • State funding accounts for 60% of the library’s tax revenue support.

You may download PDFs of the current and previous States of the Library from the links below.