Though 2007 was reported as a good year for the Gravenhurst Public Library, its board of directors is looking to raise the library’s profile in 2008 through more public relations.

The board’s annual general meeting was held at the library last Wednesday night where directors gathered to review the past year and elect the new officers for 2008.

The library board will be chaired by veteran member Colleen Blight, with vice-chair duties afforded to Nancy Lamaadar for the second year of the board’s four-year term.

Library chief executive officer Ed Reece reported new services were added in 2007, including a shut-in service, which uses volunteers to deliver library material to anyone confined to their home.

A travel series, income tax clinic and community walking for the stars program were also introduced, and the new teen area was officially opened in October.

The library also added a link to its website to the Knowledge Ontario database, which offers library users full-text access to Canadian, U.S. and international periodicals, newspapers and reference materials. It also expanded its children’s programming.

Referring to minutes of the previous meeting, Reece said the 2007 budget is in good shape and though expenditures were up $11,300 over estimates, revenues were also up by $19,200.

He said a funding request for $8,500 for a digital microfilm scanner was turned down by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The board may include the capital purchase in a 2009 budget proposal, but hopes to work with the Gravenhurst Archives Committee to find another way to pay for the new equipment.

The library board’s proposed 2008 budget reflects a requested increase of 11.22 per cent over last year to $421,601 from $379,069.

The board is forecasting a 9.9 per cent increase in expenditures reflected in items including a $3,000 increase for legal fees, a $23,572 increase for full-time salary and wages, and a $3,000 contribution to a new joint reserve fund for accessibility-related projects with the community services department.

The library’s proposed budget also shows a 1.87 per cent increase in revenues.

As part of her librarian’s report, Robena Kirton provided preliminary statistics showing circulation increased by 3.5 per cent over 2006, while the interlibrary loan program saw an increase of 31 per cent of titles borrowed, and 26 per cent loaned over 2006. The library also saw its membership rise by six per cent.

She said the Sparrow Lake Women’s Institute will be donating a defibrillator to the library, which library staff will be trained on in 2008.

Director Michael Mayes-Stewart, a teacher at Glen Orchard Public School, will be leaving the board this spring, so the board will be seeking a replacement.