JAMES V BROWN LIB ENDOW FD

Causes: Education, Libraries

Mission: THE LIBRARY IS DEDICATED TO BRINGING THE BEST LIBRARY SERVICES TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST. THE LIBRARY STRIVES TO ENRICH, INFORM, AND EMPOWER EVERY PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY TO RESPOND TO CHANGING NEEDS IN A TIMELY MANNER, TO SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE LIBRARY ESSENTIAL TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, AND TO NURTURE AN INSTITUTIONAL VALUE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Target demographics: The library offers programming and services for all the people of Williamsport and surrounding communities, with special emphasis on pre-school programming to encourage early literacy.

Programs: The library was open to the public 65 hours each week and provided access to 244,246 items in its collection, including in-house and outreach collections, for use by the public at no charge. These items were borrowed 501,142 times. Traveling bookmobiles served residents in rural areas, senior citizens & preschool children in group care settings. The library's public internet access computers were used 85,346 times; the online database was accessed 54,212 times; and 13,157 reference & informational questions were answered. The library offered 1,278 adult and children's programs as well as 7 continuing ed workshops for librarians/trustees in its 11-county district and provided delivery services to 40 member libraries. The library met & exceeded all standards required to receive state funds in 2014.