Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Executive director reports on wind damage to drive-through book return and various programs.
Developing a 10-year financial plan not to exceed $10,750 was approved by the Ela Area Public Library (EAPL) Board at its Tuesday night meeting. Steve Larson from Ehlers and Associates answered questions Board members had about the plan. “Lake Zurich won’t grow much more in terms of new construction,” explained Larson. EAPL gets the majority of its revenue from property taxes and new growth in the taxing district. Since the taxing district doesn’t show signs of much new growth, that could affect the financial well being of EAPL. “We can develop many different types of scenarios and see where we need to put away money or stop spending in another,” said Larson. The 10-year plan financial plan will be ready at the end of April, in time for …
42.19339
-88.087905
Ela Area Public Library
275 Mohawk Trl, Lake Zurich, IL
/articles/ela-area-public-library-to-begin-work-10-year-financial-plan
1303161
/locations/3111664
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Ela Area Public Library board sets tax levy to garner funds from growth.
A $407,393 increase in taxes levied by the Ela Area Public Library (EAPL) Board on Tuesday night won't cost existing taxpayers any more, according to the board. The additional funds from the tax levy increase will come from new construction within the taxing district. "I would be doing the taxpayers and patrons a disservice if I didn't capture all the new growth," said Mary Beth Campe, EAPL director. For example, if the board didn't include the Holiday Inn Express, 157 S. Rand Rd., that was built in 2009, for the tax levy that year, the library wouldn't have received the percentage of property taxes they are entitled from that location, according to Campe. Those funds are used to benefit the library. If board didn't include that in the…
42.19339
-88.087905
Ela Area Public Library
275 Mohawk Trl, Lake Zurich, IL
/articles/new-construction-to-pay-for-librarys-103-percent-tax-levy-increase
1303161
/locations/2475143
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Ela Area Public Library completes RFID project ahead of schedule and under budget.
When patrons check in to the Ela Area Public Library, they can check out its updated check out and self check out desks. Updating the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system at the Ela Area Public Library has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget. So far library patrons and employees are happy with the new RFID system. "I love it. It's supposed to be more accurate for check in's and it's a sleeker and cleaner look," said Barb Jados, information desk assistant. The self check in's have been highly used by patrons. "It's pretty cool actually," said Tim Munts, patron. "You don't have to slide it anymore." The old system required patrons to slide books or DVDs along a scanner. The project was "seamless" according to Pattie …
42.19339
-88.087905
Ela Area Public Library
275 Mohawk Trl, Lake Zurich, IL
/articles/check-out-the-librarys-improved-check-out-desk
1303161
/locations/2464281
Friday, October 22, 2010
Costs, lack of popular demand put later Friday evening hours on hold.
Discussions to extend Friday evening library hours from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. were tabled pending a future customer survey at the Ela Public Library board meeting on October 19. Estimated costs to keep the library open later on Fridays of $62,503, lack of patron input, and review of surrounding area libraries further tabled the topic. "I think it's a considerable cost to keep the library open and Fridays are not a traditionally busy night," said Mary Beth Campe, executive director. The overall estimated cost to keep the library open an additional three hours every Friday evening for a year would be $62,503. Majority of the cost goes to staffing at $48,303, with $7,800 for programming, and $6,400 for utilities. "We would have to eventually …
42.19339
-88.087905
Ela Area Public Library
275 Mohawk Trl, Lake Zurich, IL
/articles/librarys-friday-night-lights-still-go-off-at-6-pm
1303161
/locations/2264646
