Letter from the Director
Welcome to our Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report. This report covers July 2020 – June 2021, a year that involved the pandemic, elections, and a census. Those alone would make for a challenging year, but for us at the Chattanooga Public Library, we saw it as a year to expand now and into the future.
As a library that strives to provide services worthy of a highly connected, rapidly changing, and often unpredictable world, we saw many transformations throughout our system. From establishing services that grew out of our pandemic response to hiring a diverse pool of new staff, we have expanded what the Chattanooga Public Library means to our city.
If you don’t know what the future holds, you might as well go ahead and invent it. As you read through our FY’21 report, I hope you see our vision for the future.
Our Mission
for lifelong learning.
Our Vision
and engaged Chattanooga.
Our Values
Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Diversity
Communication Building
Education and Intellectual Freedom
Enhancement of the Quality of Life
Innovation and Responsiveness
Programs with a Purpose
Downtown Library
1001 Broad St.
- 56 Staff Members, including bilingual staff
- Serves Downtown Chattanooga’s inner city K-12 students, transient nonpatrons, start-up businesses, nonprofits, adult readers, and families
- 4 Floors
- Tool Library
- Seed Exchange
- Shush Café
- Public Computers, Print, Fax, Copy, and Notary Services
- 4th Floor Makerspace
- Recording Studio
- Instrument Lending Library for Ages 10-17
- Local History and Genealogy
- U.S. Passports Acceptance Office
- Meeting and Event Spaces
Northgate Library
278 Northgate Mall Drive
- 9 Staff Members
- Serves North Chattanooga’s adult readers and families
- Large circulation of new adult and tween materials
- Public Computers, Print, Fax, Copy, and Notary Services
- Children’s program room
- Makerspace tools
- Library garden
Eastgate Library
5705 Marlin Road
- 10 Staff Members
- Serves Northeast Chattanooga’s adult readers and families
- Large circulation of new adult and tween materials
- Public Computers, Print, Fax, Copy, and Notary Services
- Children’s program room
- Large teen area with Makerspace tools
South Chattanooga Library
925 West 39th Street
- 5 Staff Members
- Serves South Chattanooga’s K-12 students and families
- Large circulation of children and tween materials
- Public Computers, Print, Fax, Copy, and Notary Services
- Children’s reading and program area
- Library garden
- Lead poisoning education station
Avondale Library
1305 Dodson Avenue
- 2 Staff Members
- Serves East Chattanooga’s older adults and Youth and Family Development Center students
- Large circulation of children and adult materials
- Public Computers, Print, Fax, Copy, and Notary Services
- Children’s reading area
- 2 tween/teen program rooms
- Free daily coffee and newspapers/magazines for older adults
Digital Library
www.chattlibrary.org
- 3 Staff Members
- Serves all of Chattanooga residents and non-residents 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- Over 500,000 e-books, e-audiobooks, magazines, comic books, movies, TV shows, history collections and genealogy services
- Hundreds of business, educational, and research resources
- On-demand programming through chattlibrary.tv
- Online summer learning program through mprl.chattlibrary.org
Our Numbers
Check out how we did this year compared to last fiscal year.
Our Collections
Our collections contain all physical and digital materials available for checkout, including books, DVDs, tools, audiobooks, ebooks, and streaming entertainment. The COVID-19 closure decreased our physical circulations but increased our digital circulations.
| FY20 | FY21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Materials Owned | 209,615 | 200,625 |
| Physical Materials Circulated | 782,815 | 573,260 |
| Digital Materials Owned | 562,465 | 566,086 |
| Digital Materials Circulated | 176,438 | 207,671 |
| Total Materials Owned | 772,080 | 766,711 |
| Total Materials Circulated | 1,136,321 | 780,931 |
Our Community
Our community is you, our borrowers, our students, and our volunteers.
| FY20 | FY21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Borrowers | 95,115 | 89,203 |
| Adult Borrowers | 57,086 | 51,023 |
| Young Adult Borrowers | 38,029 | 38,180 |
| HCDE Students with Cards | 35,416 | 29,157 |
| HCDE Circulations | 86,781 | 55,036 |
Our Services
Our COVID-19 closure impacted the number of visitors and services we offered, but we did see a big increase in people who needed public computer access during the pandemic.
| FY20 | FY21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Notarizations | 1,046 | 382 |
| Passport Applications | 155 | 70 |
| Passport Services Revenue | $62,691 | $1,920 |
| Public Computer Sessions | 70,210 | 95,159 |
| Public Computer Minutes Used | 3,687,180 | 4,917,696 |
| Web Users | 372,306 | 247,405 |
| Web Sessions | 664,220 | 567,054 |
| Meetings/Events Hosted | 199 | 150 |
| Outreach Events | 134 | 14 |
| Visitors - Eastgate | 64,267 | 3,266 |
| Visitors - Downtown | 145,125 | 6,633 |
| Visitors - Northgate | 69,747 | 3,499 |
| Visitors - South | 26,713 | 1,494 |
| Visitors - Avondale* | 16,783 | 0 |
| *Note: Avondale was closed along with the City Community Center through FY’21. | ||
| Visitors - Total | 322,635 | 14,892 |
Our Programs
Our programming events support Hamilton County Schools’ curriculum and promote literacy, technology, science, lifeskills, art, music, and inclusivity. The COVID-19 closure did reduce the number of in-person programs, but our digital programs reached new, bigger audiences.
| FY20 | FY21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Events | 2,816 | 1,749 |
| Total Attendees | 56,925 | 62,400 |
| Child (0-4) Events | 1,521 | 948 |
| Child Attendees | 33,577 | 27,836 |
| Tween & Teen Events | 373 | 598 |
| Tween & Teen Attendees | 6,276 | 8,465 |
| Adult Events | 658 | 725 |
| Adult Attendees | 7,248 | 14,222 |
| All Ages Events | 264 | 147 |
| All Ages Attendees | 9,824 | 14,041 |
Library Spotlights
Accessibility Upgrades
Spotlight
While our Main Library was built before the Americans with Disabilities Act passed, the Library is a place for everyone. During FY’21, we upgraded the main entrance to automatic, sliding doors.
ADA bathrooms were also added to all 4 floors in our Main Library, with an electric adult changing table in our 1st floor bathroom.
FY23 Capital Projects also include an upgrade to the elevators for better accessibility.
Digital Library
Spotlight
- On March 14, 2020, the Library suspended physical book checkouts and in-person programs as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Physical book checkouts resumed with the introduction of Curbside Concierge services on June 16, 2020, but the increase in digital checkouts continued.
- To meet the demands, the Library increased its digital collections budget by 32% and created a new Online Resources button on the chattlibrary.org homepage to make digital collections more accessible.
- There were 207,671 digital checkouts in FY’21, a 17% increase over FY’20.
- In-person programs, especially our popular early literacy programs, did not resume in FY’21.
- Video programs were initially launched on Facebook, but migrated to the new permanent home for video programs, chattlibrary.tv. This custom YouTube channel allows for anyone to access programs without a login or email address and from any device, including a TV.
- Since launching in October 2021, chattlibrary.tv videos have been used over 100 times in Hamilton County classrooms and 66 times on WTCI’s local Educate channel.
Noise Closet
Spotlight
- The Noise Closet, an instrument lending library for ages 10-17, debuted on June 21, 2021.
- Through a partnership with Chattanooga Girls Rock! (CGR) and support from the Lyndhurst Foundation and UNFoundation, the Library now offers guitars, drum kits, keyboards, amplifiers, and accessories for free checkout up to 1 month.
- The new collection contains all of CGR’s instruments and makes them available to other tweens and teens during the year when CGR camp is not in session. Campers from the CGR 2021 camp chose the collection’s name, The Noise Closet.
Awareness Campaign
Spotlight
- In FY’20, the Library contracted local creative firm Humanaut to create a full-length commercial, short digital clips, and billboard artwork advertising the Library’s services.
- Humanaut, advertising firm for companies like Organic Valley, Lyft, and West Elm, provided a unique view into the Library’s value to the community.
- Using FY’21 budget funds, the Library spent $26,600 on commercial air time from EPB cable and streaming services, WTCI/PBS networks, and ABC and FOX-affiliate stations; 23 area billboards from Reagan Advertising; and YouTube and Facebook ads.
- The campaign ended in early July 2021 with the following results over the previous year:
- Unique website visitors increased by 26.4%.
- New library cards increased by 143%.
- Existing account updates increased by 202.5%. These include card renewals and library cardholders updating contact information.
- A second phase of the Awareness Campaign is planned for early 2022, upon the return of in-person programs.
Culture of Philanthropy
Spotlight
- Michael Watson, Director of Library Development, joined the Library in FY’20 with the goal to create a culture of philanthropy throughout the system with an emphasis on employee engagement and customer appreciation.
- The Library launched its first annual Employee Giving Campaign in April 2021 during National Library Week. Library staff donated a total of $6,390.
- Watson has also strengthened relationships with community donors and brought on new donors, including Thompson Foundation, BlueCrossBlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust, Lillian Colby Foundation, and Weldon F. Osborne Foundation.
Chattanooga Public Library Foundation
Spotlight
- In July 2021, Friends of the Chattanooga Public Library voted to change their name to the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation (Foundation), under current Board Chair Anne Najjar.
- The Foundation raised a total of $27,234 during the 2020 calendar year.
- The Foundation also added membership levels in 2021 and raised $4,743 in new annual memberships. Those levels are:
- $25 Mind Spaces (College Students)
- $50 Preschool Pals (families with preschool children)
- $100 Maya Angelou Society
- $250 William Shakespeare Society
- $1,000 Ex Libris Legacy Society
- SkyLib, the Foundation’s bookstore located within the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, generated $3,800 in 2020.
- The Foundation also accepted a total of $37,701 in grant funds for the Library.
- For 2020-2021, the Foundation’s strategic plans include:
- An additional bookstore location
- A new Foundation Office Space in the Main Library Downtown.
- Want to be a Friend of the Library? Visit their website to become a member, make a donation, and find out about upcoming events.
Looking Forward
Looking Forward
Community Health
- Vaccine Clinics at the Library launched in July 2021, at the beginning of FY’22. Through a partnership with the City of Chattanooga’s new Office of Community Health and LifeSpring Community Health.
- Clinics now take place every Monday and Friday at the Main Library, offering all three COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots. These serve the entire community, but are specifically accessible to low- and fixed-income residents of Patton Towers and individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Working with the Office of Community Health, the Library plans to launch more vaccine clinics and other health initiatives at other library branches throughout FY’22.
Looking Forward
Americans and the Holocaust
- A travelling exhibit sponsored by United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association will open January 2023 at the Main Library downtown.
- The Chattanooga Public Library was chosen to be one of 50 host libraries out of 250 applicants.
- There will be a VIP fundraising event hosted by The Foundation.
- The Library will also offer 4 education programs for a variety of ages.
Board of Directors
William Sundquist
Board Chair
Susan Robinson
Member
Erik Broeren
Member
Jess Friedowitz
Member
Kim Gavin
Member
Kim
Gavin
Member
Tom Griscom
Member
Sarah Hope
Member
Sara McManus
Member
Daniel Walker
Member
Jocelyn Loza
Member
Dionne Jenkins
Member
City & State Support
We couldn’t operate without the City of Chattanooga, who provides 99% of our funding, nor the grants we receive from the State of Tennessee. Thank you to our local and state representatives for fostering our innovation and giving us the tools to serve our community, even during a pandemic.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly
Chattanooga City Council Member Chip Henderson
Chattanooga City Council Member Jenny Hill
Chattanooga City Council Member Ken Smith
Chattanooga City Council Member Darrin Ledford
Chattanooga City Council Member Isiah Hester
Chattanooga City Council Member Carol Bertz
Chattanooga City Council Member Raquetta Dotley
Chattanooga City Council Member Anthony Byrd
Chattanooga City Council Member Demetrus Coonrod
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett
Senator Bo Watson
Senator Todd Gardenhire
Representative Yusuf Hakeem
Representative Robin Smith
Representative Greg Vital
Representative Patsy Hazlewood
Representative Esther Helton
Foundation Donors
Thank you to all the generous donors who are committed to creating a library for all!
$25 - $49
Angela Hursh
Jennifer Cloud
Tom Ransom
William Wade
Susan Sisson
Patrick Smith
Christene Tudisco
Patricia DePriest
Lori Stenger
Jaclyn Anderson
Michelle Headrick
Carol Guerra
Janice Groseclose
Aamna Khan-Fazlic
Tom Dubose
Franklin Rolston
Sarah Lambert
David Sachsman
Sheryl Ammons
Jeanette Winn
Elizabeth Monson
Margaret Banks
Jacob Ellis
Kate Colquitt
$50 - $99
Kincaid Mills
Mickey Long
Caroline Walker
Alison Sexter
Shannon Edmondson
Margaret White
Aaron Fowles
Louise Spector
Amy Donahue
Jennifer Thompson
Richard Groves
Karen Gamble
Craig Barrow
Jane Elmore
David Tugman
Heidi Kelly
Monica Baker
Christian and Rebekah Schlotterbeck
Angela Ballard
Sherry Campbell
Linda Lindsay
Margaret White
James Milburn
Larry Alexander
Susan Robinson
Mary Jane Levine
Joseph Bozich
$100 - $249
Gwenda Gregory
Don Elrod
Robin Balser
Tom Adkins
Joel Hausler
Heidi Kelly
Gary Galante
April Berends
Karen Brown
Sheldon Owens
Lee Hope
Melissa Davis
David Kling
Bob Clark
Herb Cohn
Danielle Fernandez
Brandy Hines
Samantha Schmidt
Evelyn Hunter
Steve Watson
Thomas Griscom
Allen Chesney
William Sundquist
Sylvia Hutsell
Susan Kemp
Debbie Smith
Janet Christoph
Howard Kaplan
Michael Greer
Christina Sacco
$250 - $999
Susan Epps
Christene Tudisco
Anne Najjar
Meg Crimmins Beene
Will and Sarah Clegg
Ben Swann
Jon and Sharon Law
Robert Boehm
William and JoAnn Wilkerson
Howard Kaplan
Theresa Liedtka
Jean & Rick Botto
Ex Libris
Marshall Horton
Kimberly Gavin
Corinne Hill
Michael C. Watson
Dorothy McDuffie
Michael Williams
Organizational Donors
Arts Build
Colonial Chemical, Inc.
Double Cola
Southern Energy
The Weldon F. Osborne Foundation
Fidelity Charitable
Geoffrey Sidney Cohn Fund
Adkins Books
The Thompson Holdings Foundation
Lillian L Colby Charitable Foundation
Dillard & Associates, LLC
Community Partners
Thank you to all our community partners for sharing our vision of an inspired, connected, and engaged Chattanooga. We look forward to growing with you in 2021 and beyond!