Capital Grant – Valley Park Library Expansion Project - $1,250,000
In 2017, the Hamilton Public Library secured a grant of $1,250,000 from the Heritage Green Community Trust (HGCT) with respect to the Valley Park branch expansion project. Funds for the project are to be used for two multi-purpose meeting rooms of 1,500 square feet each within the branch.
The HGCT distributes grants to qualifying recipients or organizations who clearly provide demonstrable benefits to residents in the City of Stoney Creek residing south of the Niagara Escarpment and within three kilometres of the perimeter of the Terrapure Environmental Stoney Creek Regional Facility.
In recognition of the significant financial contribution, the Library has agreed to name the two new multi-purpose rooms the “Heritage Green Community Trust Multi-Purpose Rooms” and a dedication plaque bearing the Trust’s logo, name, and Trustees will be displayed in a prominent location in or at the entrance of the rooms.
Operating Grants
Public Libraries Operating Grant - $949,451 (2016 – $949,451)
The Public Libraries Operating Grant is by far the single-largest operating grant we receive at $949,451 annually, or 70% of all operating grants received in 2017. It is the only grant that is not tied to a specific program expense so the grant goes towards reducing the net municipal contribution required from the City.
This is a provincial grant which has been stagnant for the last 20 years. Earlier this year, Councillor Merulla put forth a motion requesting the province to recognize the contributions libraries have within their communities and to reinstate adequate and appropriate provincial funding with annual increases for inflation. As part of the 2018 provincial budget, the province has pledged to increase this grant by $17 million province-wide. While every library system’s grant is scheduled to increase, the exact impact on HPL is not yet known at this time.
Learning Instruction for Newcomers - $259,287 (2016 - $247,145)
This is a federal grant and is the next largest grant we receive. It is the Learning Instruction for New-Comers (LINC) grant at $259,287 in 2017. The LINC grant is a federal grant that is used to offset expenses for LINC workers employed by the Library. In 2017, the LINC program was extended to 2020.
Improving Library Digital Services (ILDS) Grant - $79,088 (2016 - $65,282)
While technically a new grant, the Improving Library Digital Services (ILDS) grant was received for a similar purpose and amount in the last two years as the now discontinued Ontario Library Capacity Fund (OLCF) grant. Similar to the OLCF, eligible expenses can include hardware/software to support technology lending programs, digital services and resources, technology based training for staff or customers, and website development. HPL used the fund for laptop and iPad lending services, early literacy stations, and other public computing equipment.
New Horizons Grant – $24,000 (2016 – $24,850)
The New Horizons grant is a federal grant that has been received since 2015 in approximately the same amount each year. In 2017, the funds were used for seniors programming at Central and Barton. We have also received confirmation that we’ll be receiving another $24,000 in 2018 which will be put towards dementia-friendly programs.
Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) - $16,000 (2016 - $16,000)
This grant is provided by the Social Planning & Research Council and $16,000 has been received each year over the last four years. Eligible expenses under the grant include those related to the Summer Reading Club, Get Ready for Kindergarten, and Story Time for Newcomers and Hamilton Families.
Canada Summer Jobs/ Summer Reading Grants - $11,930 (2016 - $12,050)
This grant is provided by the federal government and is used to offset the costs of Summer Literacy Workers hired in relation to the Summer Reading Program.
Young Canada Works in Heritage Organization grants - $10,828 (2016 – $20,615)
This grant is provided by the Canadian Council of Archives. In 2017, funds were received for Summer Literacy Workers. In 2016, funds were also provided for Local History & Archive internships in addition to the Summer Literacy Workers.
Canada150 Grant - $5,000 (2016 - $0)
This grant was provided by the Hamilton Community Foundation and was received in relation to our Canada150 Storytelling Project.
Youth Job Connection Services - $808 (2016 - $0)
This grant was provided by the YMCA with respect to their Youth Job Connection Summer Program. The grant is designed to provide engaging work experience for youth between the ages of 15-18 within the Hamilton Region.
A breakdown of operating grants by type and by provider follows:
2017 Operating Grants by Type ($1,356,392)
2017 Operating Grants by Provider ($1,356,392)
Fees & General Revenues
Fines - $334,417 (2016 - $359,256)
Fine revenue has been declining the last several years which can be attributed to the increasing use of electronic and digital resources which automatically expire and do not accrue fines. Even though fine revenue has been declining, it still makes up the single-biggest revenue source outside of grants and is in fact still more than 50% of all Fees & General revenues that we receive. Fine revenue includes overdue charges & costs for lost items. The Fine budget has been reduced in 2018 to $360,000 and will likely have to be reduced further for the 2019 budget.
Fines also represent a barrier to usage for customers, some of which are more sensitive to the cost of fines than others. There are also misperceptions related to fines that may be impacting customer usage. As part of our effort to reduce barriers to usage, this is one area that staff plan on reviewing.
Photocopier & Printer Revenues - $138,159 (2016 - $127,740)
Photocopier & Printer revenues make up the next largest revenue source in the Fees & General category and have been growing over the last several years. The budget for photocopier & printer revenues has been increased to $127,000 for 2018.
To an extent, the increase in photocopier/printer usage has been offsetting the declines in fine revenue. Having quality, reliable equipment for customers to use is important if we want to continue to see these levels of usage and associated revenues. Each year, photocopier & printer revenues are transferred to the Library General Development Reserve for the future replacement of this equipment. Our Digital Technology group will soon be working on a lifecycle replacement project of our printers/ photocopiers.
Together, Fines and Photocopier/Printer revenues make up 80% of all 2017 Fees & General Revenues.
Donations - $20,198 (2016 - $6,973)
Donations vary from year to year and have not traditionally been budgeted for due to their unpredictable nature. Donation revenues have ranged from just under $2,000 in 2015 to over $20,000 in 2017. Most of the 2017 donations relate to a generous $15,000 donation from the Friends of the Hamilton Public Library. Starting in 2016, the Board approved the establishment of a new Donations Reserve whereby all undirected donations received in the year are transferred to this reserve. As with other Reserves, use of funds in the Donations reserve requires Board approval. This will allow for more Board control over donations and more transparency for donors so they can better see where their donated dollars are being spent.
Book Sales - $18,294 (2016 - $19,539)
The Book Sale budget was reduced as part of the 2018 budget from $28,000 to $20,000, consistent with recent actual book sale revenues.
Makerspace Fees - $13,947 (2016 - $3,032)
Revenue from Makerspace fees saw a large increase in 2017, up more than $10,000 to $13,947. Revenue is expected to increase as more customers become aware of, familiar with, and comfortable using the Makerspace equipment. Starting in 2018, a budget line for $10,000 in Makerspace fees has been added. Staff will continue to monitor activity.
Room Rentals - $12,004 (2016 - $6,765)
Room Rental revenue increased in 2017 as a result of having the Hamilton & Wentworth rooms open and available for rental for the full year compared to 2016 when they were still being renovated.
Merchandise Sales - $8,593 (2016 - $8,228)
Revenue from Merchandise Sales remained steady in 2017. This relates to the sale of computer media items such as USB sticks and headphones along with Library tote bags.
Non-Resident User Fees - $3,732 (2016 - $3,607)
Non-Resident user fee revenue has remained steady compared with 2016.
Rent Payments - $3,540 (2016 - $3,540)
This relates to payments received from Information Hamilton who are renting some space from us on the 5th floor of the Central Library ($3,450 annually).
Local History & Archive Image Fees - $3,531 (2016 - $3,398)
Local History & Archive Image Fees have remained relatively steady since 2015.
Programming Revenue - $820 (2016 - $2,309)
These revenues relate primarily to fees related to Evening for Book Lovers events. Revenue was higher in 2015 resulting from JUNO events.
Inter-Library Loan (ILLO) Fees - $571 (2016 - $873)
Relates to fees charged to other library systems for use of our materials.
Miscellaneous Revenues - $760 (2016 - $4,573)
Minor revenues related to Inter-Library Loan fees and beverage sales. In 2016, we received some revenues related to film and television productions that were permitted on Library premises. No filming took place in 2017.
Third Party Recoveries - $42,267 (2016 - $48,114)
For 2017, this relates primarily to cost recoveries for the Disability Information and Support Help (DISH) worker who is paid by the Library but works 2 days a week providing services at Hamilton Health Sciences.
Also included are Union Fee billings recoveries for Union Days that are taken by Union members for Union work and conferences. Those employees are paid by the Library and subsequently reimbursed for the Union time taken.
It should be noted that while these recoveries are reported as revenues they each have offsetting expenses associated with the revenues.