Library’s 2020 usage declines due to Covid

Library director Arlisa Harris offered the annual trustee’s report to members of the Forrest City Public Library Board during their meeting Monday.

Harris told board members that during 2020, 583 of the library’s 1,759 audio books on CD were checked out; 2,005 of 16,101 adult and children's books were checked out; 1,449 of 1,712 DVDs were checked out; 1,429 of 85,779 eBooks ( Books and Audio books) were checked out and 53 of 4,263 eMagazines were checked out.

Harris also reported that the library has 82 Traveler Electronic Databases, containing information on geology, are available to residents who want to review them.

She told the board that the library being closed to the public for almost three months due to Covid had reduced circulation.

She also reported that last year the library hosted 12 book club events with 80 attendees, 17 virtual children's programs with 810 views; five legal aid assistance events with 19 attendees and five teen programs with 29 attendees. Harris also reported that the library had zero adult programming, community outreach and school visits for the year because of the virus.

"Numbers, unfortunately, were a lot lower in 2020 as opposed to 2019," said Harris. "When we looked for adult programming in 2020, we didn't have any, outside of legal aid and VITA. Normally, we would have coloring for adults or soap making, but we didn't have anything last year in terms of that."

Harris said Covid stopped a lot of programming at the facility near the beginning of the year and most of the programs were moved to an online virtual platform.

Even with the programming numbers being lower, the VITA ( Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programming was near 2019's high.

"Last year we did 220," Harris told the board. "And that's with stopping the service from March to June then starting it back up again with a drop-off service."

Harris said that in 2019, volunteers helped file 239 returns.

This year, the library will have four volunteers, again, who are in the process of training and certification.

Harris told the board that normally certification and training is completed in November, “but it just got it up and running.”

She said the library will not be doing any in-person filings this year and would be doing most of their volunteer work through drop-offs.

"At some point, they'll still have to come here because there is a sheet they have to sign," said Harris, adding that drop- offs would hopefully be done within five days. "We'll probably have it sooner."

In other business, the board recognized Eva Pickett for 18 years of service to the library and swore in Briuana Green to the board.

"We're really easy to get along with," board chair Lindsay Hodges said in welcoming Green to the board. "Mrs. Pickett, thank you for serving on our board for 18 years. That's a lifetime."

Pickett was presented with a plaque recognizing her dedication.

"I cannot tell you how much we appreciate it," said Hodges. "Please come back anytime you want to visit. We would love to

hear your wisdom and have your support."

"I hope everything will continue to get better. The library is a wonderful place to be," said Pickett. "Arlisa, you and your staff have done a wonderful job. I've seen a lot in my 10 years, and things just continue to get better and better."

Pickett also commended the board and said it had been a joy working with them.

In other business, Harris gave a report on the financial information she has received for December thus far.

Harris said that at the suggestion of the city clerk, the library moved $ 15,000 from its memorial fund into the library's general account due to it being low and not having received the last millage check for the year at the time.

"There were just bills that needed to be paid, and when we want to move those funds back let me know," said Harris.

Board member Judy Sweet asked that the board be told when the library moves the funds back so the board could vote on it. "It's nice to have that there as long as we can give it back," she said.

Harris said she was no longer planning to offer a tutoring program at the library because a grant wasn't received and that the Forrest City School District is already looking into tutoring programs.

Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams and Ward 2 councilman Jason Evansingston attended the meeting and voiced support for the library.

"I just wanted to come in this evening to say hello," said Evansingston, adding that he wanted to introduce himself to everyone and become familiar with the library due to having fond childhood memories of it.

"Thank you for coming," said Hodges. "You're welcome anytime. Our meetings are open to the public and we are a nice, friendly little board."

Williams also said he appreciated the opportunity to attend the meeting.

"I think Briuana is going to add quite a bit to the board, especially with her relationship to the school board and her love for children," said Williams. “Thank you for what you guys do from the library such as the tax returns and different things. A lot of people really don't see all the library offers to the community."

Williams thanked board members for meeting with him last week to talk about items with a proposed sales tax to extend a bond.

"Just let us know if there are things we can do to assist," said Williams. "We are here to support each other. We are looking forward to the continued partnership and growth of the library and the city."

"The community does really appreciate what this library has done," agreed Evansingston. "When I was in kindergarten I used to come here, so to a lot of us here in Forrest City, this library means a lot. I want you to know you do have our support."

Evansingston said the board should feel free to let the council and city know if there is anything the library needs.

"A lot of people don't know this library has been here for almost 100 years," said Evansingston, adding that another benefit with the library is that it is centrally located. "This is a very important part of our community and entire city."