HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

*	A "Trousseau Tea - 100 Years of Wedding Gowns" was presented to a sold-out library audience on Sunday, May 7th. Guests were treated to a cavalcade of dresses from every decade in the twentieth century with live music, an art gallery display and a Tea Party. This special program raised over $1,700 for new library books.
	*A raffle for the book "Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire", autographed by the author J. K. Rowling, raised $876 for new library children's books.
	*Significantly more new books, audio visual and electronic materials were added in 2000 throughout the library system. This improved level of expenditures has been needed for many years to help improve library collections.
	*A circulating collection of 330 CD-ROMs was started. They were borrowed 2800 times for use in personal home computers.
	*$37,669 was received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to purchase nine computers for public Internet access, a server, hub and a printer.
	*$51,000 was received under Industry Canada's Urban Community Access Program (C.A.P.) to purchase four computer workstations for public Internet access; to design a library web site; to equip a computer training room with six Internet training workstations; and to offer a series of affordable computer and Internet training courses to the public. The Library was the first approved C.A.P. site in Niagara Falls.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING The Library is funded by the City of Niagara Falls and the Ontario Ministry
of Citizenship, Culture & Recreation. A grant was also received from Human Resources Development
Canada for special children's summer programs. The Board extends thanks to all library supporters,
particularly the Council and Staff of the City of Niagara Falls.

DONATIONS & FUND-RAISING Official receipts for income tax purposes are issued by the
library for financial donations. A commemorative book plate or an engraved plaque can recognize
donations at any of the 3 libraries.

COMMUNITY USE OF MEETING ROOMS Library meeting rooms were used hundreds of times by
organizations, businesses, government agencies and individuals. Meeting rooms were also used
many other times for library programs for children and adults.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMES Dozens of exhibitions, displays, demonstrations, readings, films and
lectures were enjoyed by people of all ages. The library welcomed many community groups who
set-up public education displays on a variety of important subjects. We also extend particular
thanks to the artists who exhibited their work in the art gallery and in the glass display cases
and who supplied paintings for the Art Rental Service on Saturday mornings.

LIBRARY RESOURCES & THEIR USE

FINANCIAL SUMMARY (subject to audit)
Operating budget 2000