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Youth and Teen Services Coordinator Position
by Robyn Lowenstein 19 Dec '19

19 Dec '19

The Plymouth District Library - job posting for full-time Youth and Teen Services Coordinator. See the posting below, or visit plymouthlibrary.org for more information. Plymouth District Library – Job Posting Plymouth District Library – Job Posting [ http://plymouthlibrary.org/ | http://plymouthlibrary.org ] TITLE: Youth and Teen Services Coordinator Full time – 40 hours per week Schedule includes daytime, evening, and weekend hours Salary $57,000.00 - $72,700.00 The Plymouth District Library is seeking an innovative, energetic, versatile Youth and Teen Services Coordinator. The ideal candidate will provide excellent customer service and outreach to the community and schools and serve as a strong library advocate. This position will inspire library staff to try new and creative ventures to improve library services. This positon will have knowledge of library best practices and expertise with digital and print resources in both Youth and Teen Services. OUR LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY: The library’s mission is to connect, enrich, and improve lives through information, services, and spaces. Our core values are: access, literacy, community destination, and personalized service. The Plymouth District Library is located in busy downtown Plymouth, MI, midway between Detroit and Ann Arbor. The library is a member of The Library Network. We serve the Plymouth community which is comprised of 36,650 residents living in the City of Plymouth and the Charter Township of Plymouth, as well as the patrons of 75 Detroit-area libraries through a reciprocal borrowing agreement facilitated by The Library Network. The library serves as a significant community hub and maintains strong partnerships with local and regional community groups, governments, schools, businesses, and cultural organizations. Plymouth’s rich history has included the library for nearly 100 years. Strong community support has resulted in a dedicated perpetual millage, a robust Friends organization, and more than 100 adult volunteers. Almost 1,000 visitors a day use the library to participate in programs, use our meeting and study rooms, borrow materials, use technology, and connect with others. In addition we serve a growing and robust digital community 24/7. The library recently completed a multi-million dollar building repair project which included facility upgrades to improve accessibility and energy efficiencies and maintain our over twenty- year- old building for generations to come. Significant network and technology infrastructure improvements were completed recently. The library contributes significantly to the high quality of life available in the Plymouth community. Our sense of community is created by beautiful neighborhoods, spacious parks, robust sport, education system, cultural and arts organizations, and dedicated community service organizations. Our vibrant, walkable downtown is full of unique shops, restaurants, entertainment and recreational options, all surrounding Kellogg Park as the centerpiece and host of year-round events. The library is just steps from all of this in our central downtown location and plays an active role in community events. The elected Board of Trustees and the Directors of the Friends Board are all committed to meeting the needs of the community, now and into the future. Dedicated customer service ideals drive our 70 staff members at all levels. We know our customers, and work tirelessly to serve their needs, listen to their concerns and make decisions accordingly. These practices are for those who come through the front door and those whom we serve outside of the library either off site or via digital services. We are committed to help the library remain a hub of activity in our community and a leader in the library world. Plymouth District Library – Job Posting [ http://plymouthlibrary.org/ | http://plymouthlibrary.org ] TITLE: Youth and Teen Services Coordinator Full time – 40 hours per week Schedule includes daytime, evening, and weekend hours Salary $57,000.00 - $72,700.00 POSITION SUMMARY AND DUTIES: Directs and coordinates services and staff in the Youth and Teen departments through the application of professional library principals and broad general knowledge. Develops and administers basic library services for youth and teens and directs and supervises the acquisition of materials appropriate to the informational, recreational and cultural needs of toddler age through twelfth grade. Plans, implements and evaluates efficient procedures; organizes and manages departmental operations within the total library framework. Provides direct reference, bibliographic instruction and reader’s advisory service to library patrons of all ages using the full-range of resources available. Active participant in youth services programming. Works with department librarians to coordinate youth and teen programming. This is a full-time (40 hours per week), permanent position. Salary and Benefits  $57,000.00 - $72,700.00, with opportunity for growth to $82,100.00. (Pay grade 12)  Paid vacation, holiday, and sick time. Employer paid life and disability insurance.  Medical insurance, dental insurance, 457B deferred contribution plan benefits.  VEBA (retiree health care) benefit, after 10 years of employment.  MERS defined benefit pension plan, with a vesting of 8 years.  Continuing education opportunities, both regional and national. REPORTS TO: Library Director Minimum Qualifications:  MLIS/MIS from an ALA accredited university.  Five years of experience providing direct customer service in youth and teen services.  Five years of library experience with increasing responsibility. Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:  Interpersonal and judgmental skills necessary to work effectively with library staff and patrons in a busy environment.  Ability to communicate effectively by phone, computer, and in person.  Accuracy and attention to detail.  Strong public service commitment and positive attitude.  Ability to work under pressure.  Supports library's strategic plan and goals.  Ability to serve as the library’s representative for community and professional organizations.  Creates, promotes and participates in library outreach activities.  Evaluates scope and effectiveness of current programs and services.  Compiles monthly and annually, statistical and analytical reports. Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:  Five years of supervisory experience.  Teaching/training experience.  Public speaking skills. SEND COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO: Robyn Lowenstein Business/Human Resource Manager humanresources(a)plymouthlibrary.org 223 S. Main Street Plymouth, MI 48170 DEADLINE: Friday, January 10, 2020 by 3:00pm This announcement is only a summary of the position, its duties, job requirements and compensation. Further information is available from the library. The Plymouth District Library does not discriminate in its employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, or disability. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability if requested. Robyn Lowenstein Plymouth District Library Business and Human Resources Administrator rlowenstein(a)plymouthlibrary.org (734) 453-0750 ext. 215

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CMPL YA Assistant posting
by Lisa Mulvenna 19 Dec '19

19 Dec '19

Want to join a team of librarians and paraprofessionals who love what they do and the communities they serve? We seek a creative individual to join our team as a YA Services Assistant. Our priorities are focused on the following outcomes: inspire lifelong reading and learning; grow young readers; advance student success; and connect the community. Our full job description and application requirements are available here: http://cmpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CMPL-22-5-hour-YA-Services-Assis… Clinton-Macomb Public Library is the largest library in Macomb County and has a reputation for adapting new technologies and embracing innovative ideas. This person will be based at the Main Library and South Branches. This person will report to the Head of Youth/YA Services. Please consider joining our team and making a difference in the communities of Clinton and Macomb Townships! -Lisa Lisa Mulvenna Head of Youth/YA Services Clinton-Macomb Public Library 40900 Romeo Plank Clinton Township, MI 48038 (586) 226-5031 phone (586) 226-5038 fax Check out CMPL's services for teachers and students at https://cmpl.org/teacher-portal/.

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RESPONSES: RE: Fine Free Policy
by Rebecca Higgerson 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Knowing that attachments aren’t viewable in the digest, I’ve copied and pasted what I received. Hopefully everyone can make sense of it. If not, I have put contact information at the end of each section. Thanks to everyone who responded!! --Rebecca Higgerson ****************************************************** Why did the Chesterfield Township Library eliminate overdue fines? It is the mission of the Library to provide equal access to information, services and opportunities that empower, enrich and enhance the quality of life for all. Fines are a barrier to that access. Eliminating that barrier opens doors to all in our community to utilize the resources the Library offers. Will overdue fines be waived on all materials? All Chesterfield Township Library-owned materials will no longer have overdue fines. Materials that are obtained through Interlibrary Loan are borrowed from other libraries, and therefore are still subject to fines. Do I still have to pay an overdue fine that was on my account prior to Chesterfield Township Library going fine free? If you’ve returned all materials belonging to Chesterfield Township Library, your overdue fine has been waived. Fines have been waived, so why does my account still have a balance? While the Chesterfield Township Library is doing away with overdue fines, fees for lost or damaged materials remain. How will the Library get people to return borrowed materials? Being free of fines should not imply that patrons are now free from responsibility. Six weeks after the final due date, materials that are not returned will be considered lost and patrons will be billed the replacement cost as well as a processing fee. Library privileges for all associated accounts will be revoked until all bills have been cleared. Will I still receive reminders about returning materials? Automatic renewals are still in place. Our notification methods and schedule will not change.  3 days before each due date: Automatic renewal or notice to return material  3 days after the item was due: Reminder Email or Text  13 days after the item was due: Reminder Email or Text  23 days after the item was due: Reminder Email or Text  6 weeks after final due date: Item considered lost, bill sent for replacement How is the Chesterfield Township Library budget affected by the loss of fine income? Overdue fines on average make up less than one quarter of one percent of the Library’s annual budget. Shane Stewart Circulation Supervisor Chesterfield Township Library 50560 Patricia Ave. Chesterfield, MI 48051 Phone: 586-598-4900 Fax: 586-598-7900 E-mail: shanestewart(a)chelibrary.org ****************************************************** *Circulation Policy * *Library Cards * All residents, property owners, and business owners within the library district boundaries are eligible for a Paw Paw District Library card as well as non-residents who pay taxes on real or personal property within the district library boundaries. The library district is legally defined by the boundaries of the Paw Paw School District. When borrowing, a patron must present a valid Paw Paw District Library (PPDL) card or photo identification. Application for a library card must be made in person with proof of identity and residency shown at the time of application. Acceptable forms of proof include a driver's license, State issued ID, tax receipt, voter registration, current utility bill, property deed, tax bill, or lease agreement. A person under 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign the card application and show proof of residency. By applying for a youth’s card, the adult assumes responsibility for the youth's choice of material and financial responsibility for materials checked out on the youth’s library card. Residents, property owners, and business owners will be issued a District Card, which allows access to all library services and is valid for three years. Special cards for Non‑Residents are available as follows: Reciprocal Cards -- Patrons from libraries that share reciprocity with PPDL may apply for an Reciprocal Card. PPDL has reciprocity agreements with Kalamazoo Public Library, Lawton Public Library, Portage District Library, and Van Buren District Library. Reciprocal cards are valid for one year and allow access to all library services except digital services and interlibrary loan. Fee Cards -- Persons who do live outside of the district and are not served by a library with which PPDL has reciprocity may apply for a fee card. A fee of $50 must be paid at the time of application and annually at renewal. Fee cards allow access to all library services except interlibrary loan. Educator Cards – Educators working in the Paw Paw School District may apply for a complimentary card. Educators must show proof of identity, residency, and employment at the time of application. Educator cards are valid for one year and allow access to all services except digital services and interlibrary loan. A cardholder is responsible for all material checked out on their card, even if it is loaned to another person. A fee of $2.00 will be charged to replace a lost card. *Loan Periods and Fees * To make material available to patrons on an equal basis, Paw Paw District Library sets limits on loan periods, on the number of renewals allowed and on the number of items that can be borrowed at one time. *ITEMS * *LOAN PERIOD * *LIMITS * *(25 total items per card) * *RENEWALS * *LOST FEE * *DAMAGE * *Books * 2 weeks 25 3 renewals if no reserves $7 paperback or $17 hardcover & comics + $3 processing fee Fee determined by level of damage *Magazines * 2 weeks 6 3 renewals if no reserves $4 + $3 processing fee Fee determined by level of damage *Audio Books * 2 weeks 6 3 renewals if no reserves $17 + $3 processing fee Fee determined by level of damage *Music CDs * 2 weeks 6 3 renewals if no reserves $17 + $3 processing fee Fee determined by level of damage *Videos * 1 week 3 3 renewals if no reserves $17 + $3 processing fee Fee determined by level of damage Rules regarding downloadable material vary by vendor. Rules regarding Library of Things items vary by item type. To promote free and equal access to the library for all, the Paw Paw District Library does not assess daily overdue fines. Patrons are still responsible for returning items on or before the due date. To assist in the timely return of its materials, the library will notify patrons of overdue material. *OVERDUE NOTICE SCHEDULE * 3 day before due date Reminder -- email 1 to 14 days late First notice – phone & daily email 15 to 29 days late Second notice – mail & daily email & call 30 days late Third notice – mail, notice includes item replacement cost Materials kept out 30 days beyond the due date will be marked as lost, and the cost of the item and a $3 reprocessing fee will be charged to the patron’s account. A replacement copy may be accepted at the library’s discretion. Once an item is paid for, no refund will be given. Items will be replaced at the library’s discretion. *Reserves * Reserves may be placed on any circulating item owned by the library. A patron may reserve an item in person, by phone, or through their account online. The library will contact a patron when the item becomes available. If the reserve is not picked up in five days, it will be returned to circulation. To keep up with demand, the library may set shorter reserve times on Library of Things items. *Interlibrary Loan * District cardholders may request items unavailable at the library from the MELCAT interlibrary loan system. Requests may be placed in person, by phone, or online at www.mel.org. A patron will be notified when a requested item arrives at the library. The item due date will be affixed to the item. Items borrowed through interlibrary loan must be returned to PPDL. The policies governing MELCAT use and participation can be found at www.mcls.org/mel/melcat. *Blocked or Suspended Accounts * Patrons who owe $20.00 or more will lose access to all library services until their charges have been paid or reduced below $20.00. A patron’s account may also be blocked if they move without providing the library with proof of their new address. *Privacy * It is the policy of the Paw Paw District Library to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the registration and circulation records of its patrons to the fullest extent permitted by law. Patron records will only be released or disclosed upon court order or with the written consent of the person liable for payment for or return of the material identified in the library record. Patron records are not subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. A patron may request information about their library card record over the telephone if they provide their card number or identifying information. Access by other individuals is allowed only with the written permission of the cardholder. Materials cannot be checked out to a patron without that patron's permission; possession of another patron's library card or valid picture ID implies permission to use the card. Patrons may designate another person to pick up material on reserve provided the material is checked out to the requesting patron. This policy supersedes all previous Paw Paw District Library circulation policies. Adopted November 18, 2019, Effective December 1, 2019 Gretchen Evans Director Paw Paw District Library 609 W Michigan Ave Paw Paw, MI 49079 269-657-3800 ****************************************************** Rebecca, Here's what we have; this is part of our overall library policy, just the section regarding fines. To sum up, though, our policy is that materials belonging to our library do not assign fines when overdue, no matter who borrows them; a Taylor resident, for example, gets the same treatment as a Southgate one. Also, Southgate residents may still end up with overdue fines if they borrow from a TLN library that charges them. You can look here for some details, it's up on our website to handle questions. https://www.southgate.lib.mi.us/Overdue.html I. Fines A. The Southgate Veterans Memorial Library does not charge overdue fines for its materials, when they are returned after the due date. Fines may still accrue on patron accounts for items borrowed from other libraries that are returned late.A. Lost Materials1. Materials that are not returned within three weeks of their due date will be marked as lost, and the borrowing patron will be charged for the materials. Returning lost materials will remove this charge, though overdue fees may still be charged if the materials were borrowed from a different library.2. It is a misdemeanor to convert public property to private use under Michigan law, and the library will seek the return of materials either through collections agencies, or those legal means as determined by the Library Commission and City Council. (see appendix)B. Patrons are responsible for all materials checked out, and are liable for damages to library materials while in their care.C. Patrons with outstanding fines of $15.00 or more will be unable to check out or renew materials until fines have been reduced to less than $15.00.D. Patrons will be assessed the replacement cost of materials damaged or lost. Replacement costs will be those listed in the library catalog. Patrons may provide another copy of the damaged or lost materials, in good condition, in lieu of paying the replacement cost. Hope that all helps! I don't regret the switch at all, and can't imagine changing back. Donald Priest Director Southgate Veterans Memorial Library 14680 Dix-Toledo Rd. Southgate MI 48195 734-258-3002 ****************************************************** FINE FREE POLICY Libraries are a place open to anyone and everyone. We are all about providing equal access to information. Fines can often stop people from using libraries and getting the resources that they need. Fines also tend to penalize more vulnerable individuals or families who can’t afford them. We want ALL people to be able to use our services without money creating a barrier. Therefore, effective immediately, the Garden City Public Library will: • no longer charge late fees for o any library items returned at our Library1 o or for Garden City Public Library items returned at any library • forgive any existing late fees for Garden City Public Library items • and reduce the threshold for blocking patrons from 24 to 9 overdue items. Lost and Damage fees will continue to be enforced. 1 Items checked out at standalone libraries (e.g. Westland, Canton…) and returned here may still incur fines when they arrive back at the owning library. Fines * , Fees, and Loan Schedule** BOOKS & MAGAZINES Books, Adult Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Books, Children’s Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Books, Holiday Loan period: 7 days Renewals: 0 Books, MeLCAT Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 1 Magazines, Adult Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Magazines, Children’s Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 AUDIO VISUALS Audiobooks Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Compact Discs Loan period: 14 days Renewals: 0 Audio Visuals, MeLCAT Loan period: 7 days Renewals: 0 Media Kits Loan period: 21 days Renewals: 2 Videos/DVDs & TV Shows Loan period: 7 days Renewals: 2 OTHER Printing (B&W) Fax 15¢ per page $1.00 per page (send) (double sided = 2 pages) 50¢ per page (receive) Printing (Color) Exam Proctoring 50¢ per page $20/hour/student (double sided = 2 pages) Replacement Library Card Lost or Damaged Item $1.00 Replacement cost Lost or Damaged AV Case $3.00 * “Fines” assumes the materials have been returned. Overdue fines were eliminated on 4/9/2019 ** Fines, fees, and loan schedules for inter-library loan materials are governed by the owning library. Approved: April 09, 2019 Previous versions: October 8, 2013; May 13, 2014; July 8, 2104; September 8, 2015; May 10, 2016 James B Lenze, Library Director Garden City Public Library (734) 793-1830 ****************************************************** Policy Statement Our Library exists to serve the community and is based on the concept of sharing resources. To make materials available to all patrons on an equal basis, the Van Buren District Library sets limits on loan periods, on the number of renewals allowed and on the number of items that can be borrowed at one time. To facilitate access to resources and reduce barriers to Library usage, the Van Buren District Library does not assess overdue fines. Regulations 1. In order share usage of Library materials in an equitable manner, the Library imposes borrowing limits based upon the type of material including but not limited to: the number of days materials may be borrowed, the number of items Library patrons may borrow or have on their library card account at any one time, and the number of times items may be renewed: Material Type Loan Period In Days Renewals Allowed Maximum Number of Checkout Items Fine Per Day Book – Adult & Children’s’ 21 2 N/A N/A Book – “Hot Pick” 7 None N/A N/A Book – Local History Collection None N/A N/A N/A Book – New 14 2 N/A N/A Book – Overdrive eBook 14 N/A *see notation N/A Book – Professional Development Collection None N/A N/A N/A Book – Reference None N/A N/A N/A Microfilm/Microfiche None N/A N/A N/A Serial – Magazine (back issue) 7 2 N/A N/A Serial – Magazine (current) None N/A N/A N/A Serial – Newspaper None N/A N/A N/A Sound Recording – Audio Book 21 2 N/A N/A Sound Recording – Overdrive Audio Book 14 N/A *see notation N/A Sound Recording – Playaway 21 2 N/A N/A Vertical Files/Maps None N/A N/A N/A Video/DVD 7 2 10 N/A Video/DVD – “Hot Pick” 7 N/A N/A N/A Video/DVD – New 7 N/A N/A N/A *The maximum number of combined Overdrive ebooks and Overdrive audiobooks that may be borrowed at any one time is 5. 1. The loan of physical Library materials must be done in person, but renewal may be done in person, by telephone or through the online catalog on the Library’s website. 2. Extended loan periods may be available upon request at the time of checkout. Any item that is on a reserve list cannot be renewed. 3. All materials will be considered in an overdue status if they have not been renewed or returned before the Library’s next open day after the due date. 4. Members will be notified of overdue materials by telephone call, email, text message, or by United States Postal Service in compliance with state law[1] <#_ftn1>. 5. Replacement charges will be assessed to the borrowing patron’s library card account for materials not renewed or returned to the Library 35 days after the due date, or for Library materials returned in an incomplete or damaged state. A. The replacement charge will be the full retail list price of the material including a non-refundable processing fee of $3.00 per item. In cases where the original list price of an item is not known, the Library will charge a standard replacement fee of $20.00 for hardback books and $10.00 for paperback books. B. If a Library patron remits payment for materials for which they have been assessed replacement charges, the Library will refund the full retail list price paid if the materials are returned in a complete, undamaged condition within 180 days of payment receipt. Processing fees are not refundable. C. Patrons will not be given the option to replace a lost item, and substitute items will not be accepted in lieu of payment. 6. Any member with an account balance exceeding $20.00 shall forfeit borrowing and renewal privileges. They also forfeit the use of premium Library services such as access to some remote access electronic resources, as determined by Library administration. 7. In compliance with the Library Privacy Act1 only authorized users, parents or legal guardians will be provided detailed information on any Library account. 8. The Library reserves the right to make some materials non-circulating and only available for in-Library use. 9. Members should resolve loan status disputes before paying for materials. 10. This policy supersedes all previous Van Buren District Library loan, renewal, fine, and replacement policies. Approved: October 22, 2019. Effective January 1, 2020 Van Buren District Library Board of Trustees Dan Hutchins Director Van Buren District Library 200 North Phelps Street Decatur, MI 49045 dhutchins(a)vbdl.org http://www.vbdl.org 269-423-4771 ------------------------------ [1] <#_ftnref1> MCL 397.603 *et seq*. Library Privacy Act.

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Board Compensation
by Megan Buck 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Hello! Our Board requested I survey other Michigan libraries regarding board compensation. We are a small class V library and our meeting compensation rate has not changed in over 25 years. A board member suggested we consider looking at an increase. Currently, our board members are paid $25 per meeting (regardless of length). This payment is subject to taxes as income. Board member can also submit mileage or reimbursement requests for allowable costs (such as mileage to meetings or costs to attend training/conferences). These payments are not considered income. :) If you are willing to share, I would be interested in your Class Size, current payment information (or if your board is all volunteers with no pay!) and any other information you think would be helpful. I am willing to compile and share if others are interested! Thank you! Megan Megan Buck Director Dickinson County Library 401 Iron Mountain Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 (906) 774-1218 www.dcl-lib.org<http://www.dcl-lib.org/> [dickinson cty libray-side email]

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RESPONSES UPDATE: FW: Libraries with 501(c)(3) status
by Rebecca Higgerson 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

FYI *From:* Library Director <mhill(a)hillsdale-library.org> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9:52 AM *To:* Rebecca Higgerson <rhiggerson(a)brandonlibrary.org> *Subject:* RE: [Michlib-l] Libraries with 501(c)(3) status I misspoke on the fee, it was $275 not $175. Mary *From:* Rebecca Higgerson [mailto:rhiggerson@brandonlibrary.org <rhiggerson(a)brandonlibrary.org>] *Sent:* Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9:25 AM *To:* Library Director <mhill(a)hillsdale-library.org> *Subject:* RE: [Michlib-l] Libraries with 501(c)(3) status Hi Mary, Thanks for the information! We are in the fact gathering stage at this point, but I’ll definitely reach out if we move forward. Thanks! Rebecca *From:* Library Director <mhill(a)hillsdale-library.org> *Sent:* Thursday, December 12, 2019 10:54 AM *To:* Rebecca Higgerson <rhiggerson(a)brandonlibrary.org> *Subject:* RE: [Michlib-l] Libraries with 501(c)(3) status I recently did a 501c3 for our Friends organization. I am not sure of the law concerning doing this for your library. I would contact Clair at the Library of Michigan. We did use an attorney and he donated his time. There is a $20. Filing fee. Then there is the IRS. I used a retired CPA for advise but the forms are on line and not too hard to figure out. You must have an ENN number. The 501c3 filing fee was $175. Once I figured out what to do it took me about 2 months. I still don’t have all the paperwork back and I started the process late Oct of this year. I still have not done the MI forms. We did this so we could write more grants. There are greater grant opportunities if you’re a 501c3. I would say that is the best reason to apply. I’d be happy to answer any other questions you have, Mary Mary K. Hill Director Hillsdale Community Library 11 East Bacon St. Hillsdale, MI 517-437-6470 [image: cid:image004.jpg@01D3D0C3.0A069500] *From:* michlib-l-bounces(a)mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces(a)mcls.org>] *On Behalf Of *Rebecca Higgerson via Michlib-l *Sent:* Wednesday, December 11, 2019 3:10 PM *To:* michlib-l(a)mcls.org *Subject:* [Michlib-l] Libraries with 501(c)(3) status In our current Strategic Plan, we were asked to investigate 501(c)(3) status for our library. For those of you who have done this, I would appreciate getting some feedback: 1. Did you pay an attorney? 2. Did you use free legal assistance? 3. How long did the process take? 4. What are the pros in being a 501(c)(3)? 5. Are there cons in being a 501(c)(3)? 6. Is your Friends group a 501(c)(3)? 7. In retrospect, are you glad your library is a 501(c)(3)? 8. Is the ROI worth it? Thanks in advance! *Rebecca Higgerson* Director Brandon Twp Public Library 304 South Street Ortonville MI 48462 248-627-1474 *ENGAGE • EDUCATE • ENRICH • EMPOWER* CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

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RESPONSES: RE: Libraries with 501(c)(3) status
by Rebecca Higgerson 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Thanks to everyone who responded!! Phone calls with: *Jennifer Balcom* | Library Director | DeWitt District Library P: 517-669-3156 <517-699-3156> | jbalcom(a)dewittlibrary.org - Worked with Foster Swift - Application was 100 pages - Cost was approximately $5,000 - Paid CPA for assistance - Can take 6 months-18 months - Already have $1500 grant, third of the way to paying for itself - No cons - Plan to go for a new building in the future *Lance Werner* *Director, Kent District Library* 616-784-2007 // lwerner(a)kdl.org - Worked with Warner Norcross & Judd - Took about 18 months - $4,000-$5,000+ mostly atty fees - Definitely worth it ___________________________________________________ What you are really doing is setting up a 501 (c)3 as a separate entity. It all has to do with government and public funds. I really recommend you talk to your auditors and an attorney to understand this. –Stephanie Mallak Olson, Iosco-Arenac District Library ________________________ If you have a local Community Foundation you might want to check out setting up the 501(c)3 funds with them for a better rate of return on investments. We have several Friends groups (one is a library Friends group) that set up both an endowment fund and a cash pass through fund. If the Friends set up a 501(c)3 it may open more doors for donations from the corporate world. So far we have not received any big amounts to warrant going for a 501(c)3. We have heard that you cannot mingle public funds but there are always exceptions to some moneys. We also understand it will need a separate Board. Good luck and best wishes, Stephanie Mallak Olson, Iosco-Arenac District Library _______________________________________________ *I can only speak to a few of these issues.* *Pros of being a 501c3 makes us eligible for some grants, eligible for some TechSoup discounts / other discounts* *Cons we have to have a yearly audit done with a 990 being filed every year. This audit costs us around $2500 with an additional $1000 for the 990 preparation;* *Our friends group is NOT a 501c3* *Not sure the ROI is worth it or not.* *That’s just my 2 cents that’s not worth a whole lot.* *Good luck.* Nannette Pretzer, Director St. Charles District Library 132 S. Saginaw Street St. Charles, MI 48655 www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org 989-865-9371 n.pretzer(a)stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org _______________________________________________ The Sebewaing Township library is also listed as a 501 (c)(3). I would contact your accountant and/or your township administrators as they may be able to clear up some of your questions. Also, I googled 501 c 3 township library and it has a link to the American Library Association and the difference between the different tax statuses. The Library of Michigan may be able to clear up some of your questions without giving legal advice. Angela Pike Director Sebewaing Township Library 41 N. Center St. Sebewaing, MI 48759 989.883.3520 _______________________________________________ I think the new board asked some questions to Shannon White and Clare Membeila from Library of Michigan who got them pointed in the right direction. – Holly Kirsten, hollykirsten(a)chelibrary.org _______________________________________________ I recently did a 501c3 for our Friends organization. I am not sure of the law concerning doing this for your library. I would contact Clair at the Library of Michigan. We did use an attorney and he donated his time. There is a $20. Filing fee. Then there is the IRS. I used a retired CPA for advise but the forms are on line and not too hard to figure out. You must have an ENN number. The 501c3 filing fee was $175. Once I figured out what to do it took me about 2 months. I still don’t have all the paperwork back and I started the process late Oct of this year. I still have not done the MI forms. We did this so we could write more grants. There are greater grant opportunities if you’re a 501c3. I would say that is the best reason to apply. I’d be happy to answer any other questions you have, Mary Mary K. Hill Director Hillsdale Community Library 11 East Bacon St. Hillsdale, MI 517-437-6470 _______________________________________________ Thanks to Jim MacLean at CADL for forwarding this article to me. I have never heard of a library itself being a 501(c)3 and from what I have read I didn't think it was allowed. So I am now interested in seeing what Michigan libraries who have made this change have to say in response to Rebecca's question. This is why I love to stay in touch with Michigan libraries despite being in Wisconsin now. Each state has its own way of doing things, plus visionary changes to the usual way for library-ing that we don't hear about. https://www.grbj.com/articles/80463-irs-approves-nonprofit-status-for-kent-… Sincerely, Nyama Nyama Y. Reed Library Director N.Reed(a)WFBLibrary.org 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) _______________________________________________ Hello Rebecca, I have been working on such a thing for the past 2 years. To my understanding, the library itself cannot be a 501(c)3. Please see this summary: " Public libraries that are government agencies can receive donations, and they are tax-deductible for donors, so the question is, should your Friends or foundation become a 501(c)(3)?" Hence a library CANNOT be a 501(c)3, rather they can have a Friends or Foundation that is a 501(c)3 and provides the library with additional financial support. http://librarystrategiesconsulting.org/2017/09/should-we-be-a-501c3/ They are then legally and financially separate from the library. This can have positives and negatives. My library already has a Friends group that has been operating long before my 6 years here. They are excellent. They have all the requisite paperwork in place and used a lawyer to help them set it up years ago. There is a board with monthly meetings and a treasurer, who happens to be an accountant, who handles all the money and the annual tax returns. The library cannot tell them what to do, since they are legally separate. They choose to give us money and approve what we use it for. This year they gave us $35,000 and we use the money for programming, tech, and furniture - "enhancements" not in our operational budget which is funded by tax dollars and fines. We are in the process of also creating a 501(c)3 Foundation, with a different mission than the Friends group. The goal of the Foundation is specifically to raise $5 million, which will then be invested and the annual interest income will be given to the library to support our strategic plan initiatives (i.e. a building study, new study rooms, more solid funding for programming, staff and collections). 1. Did you pay an attorney? Yes, we interviewed 4 attorneys based on recommendations from other libraries or online reviews. There were surprisingly few attorneys in the Milwaukee area that specialized in setting up non-profits. Certainly, you could use any lawyer, not one who specializes. Another area library used an attorney to set up their fund after receiving a $5.5 Million bequest and the total bill was between $10k-20k. Bc the attorney can be very expensive, and we don't have that amount of money, we are writing the bylaws ourselves using other library foundation bylaws as an example. We will then run the final bylaws by the attorney with questions and have her file the official state paperwork and the IRS paperwork. Luckily we have an attorney on the Foundation Board and she has helped us hone things with a legal eye, though her area of expertise is not in establishing non-profits. We are hoping our total attorney costs will be under $5k. 2. Did you use free legal assistance? In my experience free "legal aid" doesn't do this sort of thing and as mentioned above we were not able to find a local lawyer willing to do it for free. It's still worth the effort to see if you can find an area attorney who will work with you for free or lower cost, or even get them to join the Board. 3. How long did the process take? Don't be scared off by my saying I have been working on it for two years. We created a very large, ambitious, strategic plan in 2016. In 2017 we started looking at what it would take to create the foundation, then create the investment fund at the area Community Foundation (i.e. the actual investment vehicle), etc. We interviewed attorneys this past Spring, then interviewed people for the Foundation Board, I started the Bylaws based on examples and have been sending them to the board members via email for feedback. We were delayed by a couple urgent big issues that came up and took my time away from the bylaws, and then I got a concussion which resulted in no work on it for 2 months. I am back at it with the goal of finishing the bylaws draft by the end of this month and completing the Foundation paperwork with the lawyer in the 1st quarter of 2020. I would imagine setting up a Friends group would be much easier time-wise. A full foundation for investment purposes is a little more work. 4. What are the pros in being a 501(c)(3)? Again a library itself is not allowed to be a 501(c)3. I think the more accurate question is what are the pros and cons of a library establishing a Friends group or a Foundation. The pros are you have people interested in raising money for your library and then giving you the money for library projects. They provide financial support beyond what the municipal tax base provides. They can organize and hold book sales or "wine tastings" as special events. Things that staff don't have the time to do. 5. Are there cons in being a 501(c)(3)? The cons to a Friends group or Foundation is that they may view the raised money as THEIRS. Their territory. And they may not approve you using it for what you wish, or they turn it into a fiefdom with feelings of power. I have seen very dysfunctional Friends and Foundations and have heard horror stories from other libraries. Thankfully my current Friends group has no drama or power issues. I am working very hard to set-up our coming Foundation so they raise the money, it goes directly into the investment fund, and then the interest income is passed to the library at the end of the year to "support the Library Board approved strategic plan initiatives." The Foundation will have no input in how the money is used and cannot say "no." Another con may be that your municipality may say: Oh, you have $5 million in your foundation so we can cut your budget... I have found that getting "only" $35k from our Friends group does not impact our municipal funding. When it comes up I explain that the Friends enable us to replace all of our furniture so we didn't have to make a capital request to the Village for it. With the goal of $5 million in a fund, potentially generating interest income of $250,000/year (fyi, our annual budget is $800,00 of which we get $700,000 in municipal taxes), we will protect the money by having donors specifically state what the money is for. i.e. strategic initiatives, not new carpeting or the electric bill. My advice is to figure out WHY you or someone else wants the library to be a 501c3 - or more accurately - why you want Friends or a Foundation to do fundraising for you and give you extra money. How much? $5,000 per year in book sales or $1 million for a building addition? Knowing your end goal will help you determine if it is worth it. I don't know that it'd be worth the effort for $1,000/yr. But maybe for $5k-10k/yr. Definitely for $35k-250k/yr. 6. Is your Friends group a 501(c)(3)? Yes 7. In retrospect, are you glad your library is a 501(c)(3)? Not applicable. 8. Is the ROI worth it? The ROI on our Friends is totally worth it. The pending ROI on a Foundation remains to be seen, but if we do not raise $5 Million and use it to solidify our funding base, then we will end up having to make major cuts in the future. Avoiding cuts, and potentially finding extra enhancement, makes it worth it to me. Best of luck on whatever path you take. Feel free to email or call me anytime to ask questions. And check out this article on how my neighboring library set-up and defined what their bequest will be used for (i.e. protecting it from calls to use it for operational expenses). PS I'm totally happy for them but jealous that they got a huge donation and I am working to raise that much. :-) https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/northshore/news/shorewood/2019/1… Sincerely, Nyama Y. Reed Library Director N.Reed(a)WFBLibrary.org 414-755-6551 (direct line) Whitefish Bay Public Library 5420 North Marlborough Drive Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 414-964-4380 (main line) _______________________________________________ Hi Rebecca: There are circumstances under which a library can be a 501(c)(3), but as Nyama indicated, it is important to consider why the library is interested in becoming a 501(c)(3). Currently, the IRS Tax laws grant public libraries tax exempt status under a different provision of the code, so a public library does not need a 501(c)(3) designation for fundraising. The big reason I can see for a public library to obtain 501(c)(3) status is grant writing. Many large grant making organizations and foundations require 501(c)(3) status in order to compete for grants. As far as I can tell in research, a big reason for this is that large grant making foundations save time and costs if dealing only with 501(c)(3) institutions because then the grant seekers have already been vetted- the grant makers don’t have to expend extra time and effort verifying the authenticity of applicants. However, lack of a 501(c)(3) status doesn’t prevent libraries from obtaining ALL grants, and occasionally even the large grants are obtainable after a conversation with the grant making organization and proof of tax-exempt status (which can be obtained from the IRS in the form of a “determination Letter <https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/gov…> ”). 501(c)(3) status requires extra paperwork and reporting annually, and comes with a slate of restrictions and regulations. The regs are not particularly onerous, but it is another layer of administration a library would have to contend with – on top of existing library financial auditing and accounting requirements. That is not to say it isn’t doable – quite the contrary- but it is something to consider. There are several libraries in Michigan which have 510(c)(3) status. Many are fairly large libraries. The attached memo provides a link to an article that mentions a few of them. I urge you to consult your accountant/auditor and an attorney before making your decision. If you do go for 501(c)(3) status, you would want assistance from an attorney to complete the IRS form. It is worth the cost! See: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/eotopicf96.pdf):*“A fire department, public library, hospital district, state college, or port authority are examples of state institutions that may be created, controlled by, or closely affiliated with government. And their income may be exempt from federal income tax pursuant to IRC 115(a), (see Appendix), except for unrelated business income tax for certain state colleges and universities under IRC 511(a)(2)(B). Nevertheless, each may also qualify for exemption as a clear counterpart of an organization described in IRC 501(c)(3), if it is not an integral part of a state or a political subdivision, and it otherwise satisfies the organizational and operational tests. The term "instrumentality" has been applied to this type of organization as a kind of shorthand. Technically the term "instrumentality" only has application under the FICA and FUTA (social security tax) provisions. However, for convenience, this article will also refer to these organizations affiliated with governments as instrumentalities. “ *This is saying that if a public library satisfies the requirements to be a 501(c)(3),and it isn’t an “integral part of a state or political subdivision,” it could be a 501(c)(3). I hope this is helpful! Please let me know if I can provide any additional information. Sincerely, Clare Clare D. Membiela, MLS, J.D. Library Law Consultant Library of Michigan MembielaC(a)michigan.gov 517-335-8132 *From:* michlib-l-bounces(a)mcls.org <michlib-l-bounces(a)mcls.org> *On Behalf Of *Rebecca Higgerson via Michlib-l *Sent:* Wednesday, December 11, 2019 3:10 PM *To:* michlib-l(a)mcls.org *Subject:* [Michlib-l] Libraries with 501(c)(3) status In our current Strategic Plan, we were asked to investigate 501(c)(3) status for our library. For those of you who have done this, I would appreciate getting some feedback: 1. Did you pay an attorney? 2. Did you use free legal assistance? 3. How long did the process take? 4. What are the pros in being a 501(c)(3)? 5. Are there cons in being a 501(c)(3)? 6. Is your Friends group a 501(c)(3)? 7. In retrospect, are you glad your library is a 501(c)(3)? 8. Is the ROI worth it? Thanks in advance! *Rebecca Higgerson* Director Brandon Twp Public Library 304 South Street Ortonville MI 48462 248-627-1474 *ENGAGE • EDUCATE • ENRICH • EMPOWER*

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County libraries that have become district libraries
by Oscoda County Library 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Good morning: My library is beginning to look at the process to become a district library, and we are working with an attorney. If you were a county library that has gone through the process would you please email me off list, I have some questions for you. Thanks, Amy -- Amy Knepp, Director Oscoda County Library 430 W. Eighth Street Mio, MI 48647 TEL: 989-826-3613 TAX: 989-826-5461 http://www.oscoda.lib.mi.us

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Presenter Recommendation: Author Edward Balian
by Brandi Tambasco 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Last week the Howell Carnegie District Library hosted an evening program with Edward Balian, author of *Turn the Page: The Bob Seger Story, *the first and only biography of Bob Seger. We scheduled the program for 2 hours. Ed spoke about Bob Seger's music career for an hour. After a short break for the audience, he played 3 YouTube videos, one song from the 1960s, one from the 1970s, and one from the '80s, so the audience could hear Seger's musical progression. The best part of the evening was the audience Q&A that followed with all the stories both the presenter and audience shared. The evening ended with a book signing and sales, handled by Ed and Tammy, an associate from his publisher/printer. The program was well-received by the audience of 38 who made it out on a cold, snowy December night. Ed was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable speaker. This man *knows* his music! And his team was so easy to work with--no-hassle booking, great communication, and no presenter fee. Ed lives in San Diego, but has made two book tours here in Michigan since his book released in July, and he plans on at least two more this spring and summer. I encourage you to reach out to Ed directly if you have any questions. He and his wife Veronica are extremely prompt with communication. The website for his book is bobsegerturnthepage.com. We'd like to give a shout-out to Samantha Loree from Northville District Library who brought Dr. Balian to our attention via a listserv post. If you're interested in having Edward Balian present at your library, he can be reached at esbalian(a)gmail.com. Happy Holidays, Brandi Brandi Tambasco Adult Services Librarian Pronouns: she, her, hers Howell Carnegie District Library 314 W Grand River Howell, MI 48843 T: 517-546-0720 x131 F: 517-546-1494 tambasco(a)howelllibrary.org www.howelllibrary.org

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CADL announces Top 10 Lists
by Smiley,Trent 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Here are CADL's most checked out adult titles for 2019 (list appeared in the Lansing State Journal) https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/life/2019/12/17/cadl-top-10-2019-… CADL's most checked out children titles for 2019 (list appeared in the Lansing State Journal) https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/picture-gallery/life/2019/12/17/cadl-to… Check out the new episode of our Reader's Roundtable Podcast https://audioboom.com/posts/7452861-reader-s-roundtable-episode-20-reading-… Trenton M. Smiley Marketing & Communications Director Capital Area District Libraries-Administration 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 517-367-6348 | smileyt(a)cadl.org<mailto:smileyt@cadl.org> www.cadl.org<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.cadl.org&d=DQMFAg&c…> | facebook.com/cadlibrary<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.facebook.com_cadli…> | twitter.com/cadl<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.twitter.com_cadl&d=…>

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Inventory - RFID
by Valerie Meyerson 17 Dec '19

17 Dec '19

This is for RFID libraries.... We are planning a full collection inventory in 2020. I am wondering how you process your inventory. 1. Do you use an RFID wand? If so, what brand and do you recommend it? 2. If you don't use a wand - do you take a mobile computer with an RFID pad into the stacks? 3. If you don't do either - how do you process all your books? 4. Comments and suggestions for an efficient process would be appreciated. Thank you - Valerie Meyerson, Library Director Petoskey District Library [jpg Blue Small] Please think about the environment prior to printing this email.

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