The deadline for the Public Library Annual Reports is April 1st.  All
libraries were either mailed or emailed a copy of the report with all
pertinent information back in November.  Currently, 71 libraries have
submitted their reports either online or in paper format.  That is only
a 26% return rate with less than 3 weeks left before the deadline.
Another 43 libraries have logged on to and/or started the online report
but have not submitted it.  Until the report is actually submitted, I
can't be sure it is complete.

 

Here are some things you should keep in mind when you complete the
report:

 

1.	A lot of libraries have had trouble logging in this year.
Please remember to hold down the Control key when you click on the Login
button.  Sometimes this has not worked for people.  Brian Holovach from
Informata has this to offer as a reason:  I am thinking that probably
because more people are getting Internet Explorer 7 that controls
pop-ups may be one reason people are having more problems. By the summer
we will be having a new version that is not dependent on browser or
pop-ups.
2.	Please remember that the report is broken down into two parts.
Part One is asking for data related to information from your last
completed fiscal period (FY07).  This is whatever YOUR library's fiscal
period is.  Some libraries run on a January to December year and some
run on a July to June year (and some even different than that).  Part
Two is asking for the most recent information you have available.  This
information is not for federal purposes but more so for directories and
other information.
3.	I have had a few libraries turning in reports with information
which is exactly the same as the previous year.  I realize some things
might remain the same - like local funding - but please try to be
accurate with your figures.  I will get edit checks on ALL of these
figures from the federal government.  There must be a little bit of
fluctuation - even if it is only slight - please report changes.  This
is very important to make sure these statistics are accurate.
4.	If you are reporting Salaries under Operating Expenditures
please report Benefits unless you are absolutely sure that you receive
no benefits of any kind including social security, unemployment
compensation, workers compensation, etc.  I will get an edit check from
the federal government on anyone that reports zero benefits.
5.	You must annotate you edit checks before you can submit your
report.  If you have edit checks it doesn't mean that your answers are
wrong, the program just wants an explanation of why your data is out of
range.  Edit checks are explained in the Online Instructions.
6.	Please read the Data Definitions so you are sure you are
reporting correctly.

 

Please complete your reports as soon as possible.  If you need a copy or
any related information, please notify me as soon as possible and I will
send it to you.  If you have any questions or need any assistance,
please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

Thank you,

Felicia

 

Felicia Kennedy

Maine State Library

64 State House Station

Augusta, ME  04333-0064

207-287-5620 or  (Maine only) 1-800-322-8899 

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