Sidney Public Library Under Budget

The Sidney Public Library ended the 2019-2020 fiscal year 11.8 percent under the $494,811 budget, as presented by Head Librarian Richard Sandstrom.

Sandstrom said the impact on the budget is mostly due to employee changes that impacted salaries and benefits.

The Sidney Public Library serves a population of 8,910. Of those, 1,005 have active library cards.

During the fiscal year, 21,159 people visited the library, including 2,235 who visited the bookmobile. The number of patrons has decline, Sandstrom said, due to COVID-19 health restrictions. Impact of the COVID virus is expected to impact the 2020-2021 signficantly. Sandstrom reported the impact by the Bass Pro/Cabela's merger appear to be leveling off. Fifty-six items were requested through Interlibrary Loan and 212 items were loaned. The SPL has 83,366 physical and digital items for loan. The library also subscribes to seven newspapers and 26 magazines. The annual use of physical materials was 23,296 and 5,810 eBooks.

The library also has 12 computers for public use. In 2019-2020, computers were used 5,995 times.

The library hosted 55 children's programs with a total of 411 children in attendance. The library also attracted 182 participants to the Summer Reading program. The library also is collaborating with Sidney Public Schools for students using Sora to library's eBook collection on Overdrive.

During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the library had a new HVAC unit installed and 16 computers were replaced (10 public access, four staff computer and two circulation desk computers.)

In other business at the January 26 city council meeting, the council recommended to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission approval of a change of management at the Alta fuel retail stop at 440 E. Illinois St. The Council also approved the purchase of a 2021 4WD Chevrolet 2500 HD at a cost of $31,215.90. The City has budgeted $33,000 to replace a 2008 half-ton pickup used by the Sewer Department.

City Manager David Scott also announced some coming staff changes. Cindy Heilbrun will be retiring in June. Heilbrun was appointed to the Clerk's position when Geri Anthony retired as city clerk. Heilbrun has been with the City of Sidney for about 40 years. Roxanne McCool will be moved to Utility Billing Clerk and Kelly Mowry will be the new Administrative Assistant and Kim Phillips has been promoted to City Account Clerk III.