Princeton Public Library

205 Center Street

Princeton, WV  24740

Phone (304) 487-5045 (Call ahead to send fax)

Fax (304) 487-5046

Connie L.Shumate

Director

 

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&  MISSION:  The mission of the Princeton Public Library is to offer equitable access to information, a place to gather, and opportunities for lifelong learning, enrichment, and enjoyment. 

&  FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY:  Organized with the sole purpose of supporting the Library and its activities, the Friends sponsor a monthly used book sale.  The proceeds of the book sale are used to underwrite the cost of library programs, library materials, and equipment. Much that Princeton Public Library accomplished in 2006 was done with the help from our Friends – the Friends of the Library, that is.

&  CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING – An after-school program was created that would encourage healthy lifestyles.  Students from Straley and Mercer Elementary schools participated in the program.  Guest speakers from the Princeton Health and Fitness Center, Princeton Community Hospital, Concord University, and the WV Extension Office presented programs and activities for the children.  Other activities included Tiger Mountain Refuge Center, a visit from Theatre West Virginia, a program on deep sea diving, fire safety programs by the Princeton Fire Department, visitors from Sandy Head Ostrich Farm, an Easter Egg Hunt, and many, many more programs of interest to all ages. 

Overall attendance for children’s programs increased significantly.  In 2005, attendance was 5,703.  For the 2006 fiscal year, attendance increased to 9,405.  Additional programs for children were added to the already established programs, i.e., pre-school Story Hour and the annual Summer Reading Program.  Out of necessity (overcrowding) a second pre-school story hour was added to the schedule of children’s activities. 

&  ADULT PROGRAMMING:  New days and times were incorporated into the schedule.  The public enthusiastically received new program topics, such as digital photography and how to buy and sell on E-bay while continuing to take part in scrapbooking and calligraphy classes.  The Princeton Senior High School Madrigals once again presented their Christmas program at the Library during the month of December. 

&  FINANCIAL SUMMARY:  The Library Operating Income totaled $238,549:

 

City of Princeton------------------------- $ 98,000         Other-------------------------------   $ 16,205     

State of West Virginia-------------------   51,205          Library Fees, Sale of Copies-     14,906

Mercer County Commission---------   20,000          Special Projects-----------------     13,078

Mercer County Board of Education--15,000           Gifts---------------------------------     10,155     

&  STATISTICAL REPORT:  The Library staff consists of 9 employees who provided 3,172 service hours this year.  Our collection consists of over 105,000 print materials, audio materials, video, and subscriptions.  We have 40,352 registered borrowers and added another 1,534 new registered borrowers this year.  The staff provided 172 Children’s Programs with attendance of 9,405, and 41 Adult Programs with attendance totaling 1,653. There were 12,690 users of electronic resources and 38,216 reference transactions.  Our 7,873 square foot facility is located at 205 Center Street and has meeting rooms available.

&  BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Our Board of Trustees consists of Ann Stafford, Chairperson; Martha Draper, Emilie Holroyd, Roger Kimble, and Robert Schumacher.  Our Friends of the Library President is Charlamayne Boyles.

&  LOOKING AHEAD:  The people of Princeton and Mercer County are to be congratulated for their historical commitment to the public library and their proactive approach to providing library services for all residents.   Princeton Public/Mercer Memorial Library is a testament to the success of their efforts.

The community has an enthusiastic, talented library staff ready to increase library hours, expand outreach, and provide residents with state-of-the-art technological access; however, it will take time to plan for these enhancements and it will take additional resources to implement them.  The Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees and the Library Staff will be charged with exploring and considering new opportunities for partnerships and untapped sources of income to keep the Library moving forward.

“In a Library you can find small miracles and truths.”

                                                                                                 Ann Lamont