Recent Accomplishments
- Expanded Fine Free Policy to all library collections
- Partnered with the City of Iowa City to add handrails to the west building entrance
- Reaccredited as a Tier 3 library through the State Library of Iowa
- Celebrated the 125th University of the Iowa City Public Library
- Library Board of Trustees crafted a statement in support of Intellectual Freedom on behalf of the Library
- Established new ways for the library and community to communicate by recording Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees meetings
- Resumed pre-COVID library hours and reopened the library building to patrons
Upcoming Challenges
- Complete the goals of the current Strategic Plan
- Develop a new Strategic Plan that reflects the needs of the Iowa City Community
- Welcome a new Coordinator for the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation
- Protect and celebrate the Freedom to Read and Intellectual Freedom
Director’s Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2022 was a year of coming back together after the COVID-19 closure, finding new ways to increase access to library services, and seeking opportunities to support library staff.
In the first month of FY2022, we returned to full, in-person library services after over a year of modified access. It was delightful to engage in the process of re-norming after such a long time of limited interaction, and both staff and patrons did an impressive job of acclimating to a new kind of ordinary time. I am enormously thankful for the resiliency and flexibility that was demonstrated by the ICPL community throughout the COVID closure and reopening process. Thank you!
In addition to increasing our programming back to pre-pandemic levels (we offered 230 adult programs, 176 teen programs, and 542 children’s programs throughout the year), we circulated 1,249,698 items and helped patrons find the answers to over 19,600 reference questions. We also completed a number of projects focused on connecting with patrons in new ways, including extending the fine-free model to all library collections, designing and implementing a volunteer-staffed Welcome Desk on the first floor of the downtown library, and providing active bookmobile service at every Saturday Farmers Market in downtown Iowa City. We enhanced our physical space by updating public restroom fixtures and collaborating with the City of Iowa City to install handrails outside the west entrance doors.
We were proud to implement some new amenities for library staff, as well, as we all readjusted to serving the community in person. These included updating the staff lounge, creating a new staff mental health space, offering all employees access to a mindfulness app, and providing the opportunity to include personal pronouns on ICPL name badges.
Thank you for being part of the Iowa City Public Library community and for helping us make FY22 a great year!
