Performance Details

Department of Education and Early Development - Alaska State Library & Museums

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Mission

To provide access to government information; to collect, organize, preserve, and make available materials that document the history of the state; and to promote the development of libraries, archives and museums statewide.

Core Services

• Provide access to the Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums programs and services
• Promote educational opportunities for the development of Libraries, Archives and Museums statewide
• Continue to collect and manage the care of objects and documents that represent the peoples and history of Alaska

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Increase usage of Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums services and programs  Details >	A1: Provide access to the Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums programs and services  Details > TARGET #1: Provide reference services at the Libraries, Archives and Museums TARGET #2: Increase the number of patrons served and items circulated at the Talking Book Center TARGET #3: Increase the number of annual visitors to the Alaska State Museums TARGET #4: Increase the number of Alaskana objects available online TARGET #5: Provide for educational opportunities and public programming throughout Division facilities TARGET #6: Increase visits to Division web pages
Mission Results	Core Services
B: Increase capacity, skills and professional development for staff and management of Libraries, Archives and Museums  Details >	B1: Promote educational opportunities for the development of Libraries, Archives and Museums statewide  Details > TARGET #1: Provide professional development and training events for Libraries, Archives and Museums staff statewide
Mission Results	Core Services
C: Ensure state historical acquisitions and documents are preserved  Details >	C1: Continue to collect and manage the care of objects and documents that represent the peoples and history of Alaska  Details > TARGET #1: Ensure state historical documents are preserved and available to the public

Performance Detail

Target #1: Provide reference services at the Libraries, Archives and Museums Number of Alaskana Reference Questions Answered Fiscal Year Library Archives Museums Total All Divisions FY 2017 21,815 +21.42% 529 +54.68% 8,058 +160.86% 30,402 +42.09% FY 2016 17,966 -2.81% 342 -24% 3,089 -4.66% 21,397 -3.51% FY 2015 18,485 +3.64% 450 -22.01% 3,240 +0.65% 22,175 +2.51% FY 2014 17,835 +49.45% 577 +47.57% 3,219 +106.74% 21,631 +55.82% FY 2013 11,934 -8.75% 391 -12.13% 1,557 +122.75% 13,882 -2.4% FY 2012 13,079 +28.55% 445 -28.11% 699 -12.73% 14,223 +22.68% FY 2011 10,174 +1.87% 619 -2.21% 801 -31.95% 11,594 -1.72% FY 2010 9,987 +58.1% 633 -6.91% 1,177 -3.21% 11,797 +43.64% FY 2009 6,317 -21.45% 680 +9.5% 1,216 -37.16% 8,213 -22.5% FY 2008 8,042 621 1,935 10,598 Analysis of results and challenges: Each section of the Division answers reference questions in its own way, but all provide an important resource for the public and researchers. The public primarily asks quick reference questions at the Library, while researchers or curators ask fewer, but more complex or technical questions at the Archives and Museums. The Library Development unit answers reference questions from library staff statewide, just as Archives and Museum staff answer questions from local archives and museum employees. Questions arrive in person or by email, text, phone, fax and mail. Thousands of non-Alaskana reference questions were also answered by the Library, but are not included on the chart. The Division experienced a 42% increase in the number of questions this year over last year. Since FY2008, reference has increased by 287%. The Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) facility has been operating for a full year since the grand opening in June 2016. Clearly, state agency staff, the public, researchers and employees in other libraries, archives and museums know that the Division is open and ready to serve, so they have found their way back to the Division after a year of change due to the move to the new facility. The surge in Museum questions is due to the number of questions posed by visitors as they leave the museum galleries, questions that could not be asked after the old State Museum had been torn down and construction of the APK was underway. Related links:    • Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums

Target #2: Increase the number of patrons served and items circulated at the Talking Book Center Analysis of results and challenges: The Talking Book Center (TBC) is a partnership between the Library of Congress' National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) and the Alaska State Library. Serving the entire state, the TBC is responsible for library services for patrons who are visually impaired or physically handicapped to such an extent that they cannot read standard print materials. Circulation includes digital and cassette audiobooks and large print books mailed to patrons statewide, as well as patron-initiated downloads of books, music and magazines through the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service. The TBC contracts with the Utah State Library to provide services for Alaskan users. This results in cost savings for Alaska, while providing a broader array of services to the patrons, since Utah serves eight times as many patrons as Alaska. The downside is that shipping is not quite as fast, so Alaska patrons tend to request more books to cover shipping lag times. Staff in Alaska process applications, manage the contract with Utah, and provide marketing and general assistance. Patron numbers fell from 928 patrons in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2016 to 832 people FFY2017. Patrons borrowed more items on average. In FFY2016, the 928 patrons borrowed 38,464 items. In FFY2017, the 832 patrons borrowed 50,356 items. Circulation per patron increased from 41.45 items to 60.52 items. This increase in circulation per patron may be due to the fact that Utah State Library staff were not able to supply a full set of circulation figures for FFY2016. If we ignore the FFY2016 numbers, the increase in circulations per patron of 55.91 from FFY2015 to 60.52 circulations per patron in FFY2017 makes more sense. Over the past ten years covered by this chart, circulations per patron have increased 32.3%. Related links:    • Talking Book Center

Target #3: Increase the number of annual visitors to the Alaska State Museums Methodology: Academic Programs = Pre-k through University levels Museum Visitors includes school groups Traveling exhibitions visit counts are not included in the Museum Visitors count Number of Visitors to Alaska State Museums Fiscal Year Academic Programs Youth Art Activities Museum Visitors Traveling Exhibitions Total FY 2017 54,967 +6351.53% 3,224 +6616.67% 60 -99.7% 453 -99.71% 58,704 -66.43% FY 2016 852 -92.44% 48 -92.01% 19,975 +74.06% 154,000 -50% 174,875 -47.22% FY 2015 11,276 +158873.64% 601 +32.67% 11,476 -70.22% 308,000 +12.66% 331,353 +3.72% FY 2014 7.093 -99.89% 453 -40.55% 38,540 -33.05% 273,388 -21.04% 319,474 -22.24% FY 2013 6,263 +100.61% 762 +197.66% 57,562 -17.01% 346,248 +380.39% 410,835 +183.7% FY 2012 3,122 +11.42% 256 -57.69% 69,358 +23.35% 72,076 +38.07% 144,812 +29.48% FY 2011 2,802 -19.37% 605 -62.31% 56,227 -2.94% 52,203 -2.64% 111,837 -4.11% FY 2010 3,475 +7.85% 1,605 +216.57% 57,928 -7.67% 53,621 +158.8% 116,629 +33.77% FY 2009 3,222 -23.47% 507 +113.03% 62,741 +8.73% 20,719 +16.21% 87,189 +9.01% FY 2008 4,210 238 57,702 17,829 79,979 Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska State Museums sponsor a number of academic, educational and traveling exhibit services, in addition to the daily museum visitor admission. Visitor admissions, Academic Programs and Youth Art Activities increased 279% this year following the grand opening of the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff (APK) facility in Juneau, from 20,875 attendees in FY2016 to 58,251 attendees in FY2017. The Traveling Exhibitions Program has experienced a precipitous drop to 453 attendees this year after a high of over 346,000 attendees in FY2013. This decrease is accounted for in two ways. During FY2013 through FY2015, the Museum successfully partnered with Princess Cruises to put traveling exhibits on their cruise ships, which accounts for the thousands of attendees who viewed these exhibits as the ships came up the Inside Passage. In the spring of 2016 and again in spring 2017, the cruise line decided to use that space for a different purpose. The other component of this measure is the number of people who view the exhibits that State Museum staff develop and ship out as temporary exhibits in local museums. Due to Museum staff shortages, the development of traveling exhibits has virtually halted, so local museum visitors do not have access to traveling exhibits, thus causing the drop from 154,000 visitors in FY2016 to just 453 visitors in FY2017. The drop in traveling exhibition visitors is primarily responsible for the 26.7% decrease in museum attendance from FY2008 to FY2017. Related links:    • Alaska State Museum

Target #4: Increase the number of Alaskana objects available online Methodology: • "Guides to Alaska Collections" are finding aids and other resources that describe materials held by Alaska State Library's Historical Collections. • "State Documents" counts digitized and born-digital Alaska State publications archived online. • "Alaska's Digital Archives" counts the number of images and items contributed by the entire division to the statewide project. • "Museums Exhibits Online" was added to this Performance Measure in FY2014. Alaskana Available Online Fiscal Year Guides to AK Collections State Documents Alaska Digital Archives Museum Exhibits Total FY 2017 1,387 +4.84% 7,096 +8.22% 25,160 +3.01% 52 +4% 33,695 +4.14% FY 2016 1,323 +2% 6,557 +18.02% 24,425 +4.49% 50 0% 32,355 +6.86% FY 2015 1,297 +1.33% 5,556 +9.95% 23,375 +5.69% 50 0% 30,278 +6.24% FY 2014 1,280 +1.35% 5,053 +57.02% 22,117 +16.84% 50 0% 28,500 +21.74% FY 2013 1,263 +1.36% 3,218 +17.79% 18,929 +1.79% 0 0% 23,410 +3.7% FY 2012 1,246 +1.63% 2,732 +13.08% 18,597 +13.6% 0 0% 22,575 +12.81% FY 2011 1,226 +1.66% 2,416 +14.34% 16,370 +13.6% 0 0% 20,012 +12.88% FY 2010 1,206 +6.07% 2,113 +15.21% 14,410 +5.9% 0 0% 17,729 +6.94% FY 2009 1,137 +48.43% 1,834 +17.41% 13,607 +10.82% 0 0% 16,578 +13.49% FY 2008 766 1,562 12,279 0 14,607 Analysis of results and challenges: Alaska-related materials on the Division website has steadily increased. The Guides to Alaska Collections describe the contents of a variety of collections held by the Division. The Alaska State Publications Program provides no-fee, permanent public access to the materials produced by state agencies, regardless of format. Born-digital state documents are preserved on a library server. Often the State Library provides access to more agency periodical material than is available at the issuing agency website. Reference staff refer patrons to digital surrogates in the Alaska Digital Archives rather than to our original item, thus preserving endangered, fragile materials. Online Museum Exhibits, added in 2014, showcase contemporary Alaskan artwork, explore in-depth cultural or historical themes. From FY2013 to FY2017, a total of 10,285 more Alaskana items have been made accessible online by Division staff, an average of 2,057 items each year. From FY2008 to FY2017, Alaskana items available online increased by 231%. Related links:    • Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums

Target #1: Provide professional development and training events for Libraries, Archives and Museums staff statewide Methodology: • Libraries includes: OWL training events, conferences, seminar/webinar attendance, technical assistance • Archives includes: Attendance at seminars and in-person instruction • Museums includes: site visits, individual requests for technical support, and seminar/webinar attendance Number of Participants in Professional Development and Training Events Fiscal Year Libraries Archives Museums Total FY 2017 1,578 -26.4% 120 +150% 1,303 +154.49% 3,001 +10.98% FY 2016 2,144 +31.7% 48 -91.52% 512 -7.41% 2,704 -1.57% FY 2015 1,628 -36.18% 566 -19.83% 553 +18.16% 2,747 -26.26% FY 2014 2,551 +126.76% 706 -20.94% 468 -40.68% 3,725 +32.7% FY 2013 1,125 +3.5% 893 +43.57% 789 -31.09% 2,807 -1.65% FY 2012 1,087 -23.61% 622 -10.76% 1,145 -12.06% 2,854 -16.6% FY 2011 1,423 +22.78% 697 -42.68% 1,302 -47.52% 3,422 -29.53% FY 2010 1,159 +34.92% 1,216 +340.58% 2,481 +0.32% 4,856 +34.59% FY 2009 859 -28.65% 276 +165.38% 2,473 +13.08% 3,608 +3.23% FY 2008 1,204 104 2,187 3,495 Analysis of results and challenges: Education is at the heart of Libraries, Archives and Museums, where staff are highly trained in their professions. Through grants and state funding, using in-person, conference attendance and distance delivery tools, the Libraries, Archives and Museum staff educates constituents statewide to help them in their efforts to preserve the history and cultural materials of Alaska. The Division’s goal is to help libraries, archives and museums statewide preserve the history and culture of Alaska by utilizing industry best practices. As expected, the Division trained 10% more librarians, archivists and curators during FY2017. Much of this increase is due to the large number of people who toured the museum vaults and workspaces following the grand opening of the APK in 2016. The number of library staff who received training decreased due to the fact that the Library Development unit, which is tasked with providing continuing education for library staff statewide, fell from four to two people during FY2017. Two librarians are being added to Library Development, so this number is expected to increase in FY2018. From FY2008 to FY2017, the number of librarians, archivists, and curators trained by the Division decreased is 14.2%. Related links:    • Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums

Target #1: Ensure state historical documents are preserved and available to the public Libraries, Archives and Museums Holdings Fiscal Year Library Alaskana Titles Archives Containers Museum Objects Total FY 2017 69,074 +0.73% 38,910 +3.17% 39,584 +1.62% 147,568 +1.6% FY 2016 68,571 +1.54% 37,713 +4.27% 38,954 +0.96% 145,238 +2.08% FY 2015 67,533 +1.77% 36,167 +19.28% 38,585 +0.42% 142,285 +0.83% FY 2014 66,360 +0.88% 30,321 +0.52% 38,422 +0.79% 141,112 +5.26% FY 2013 65,780 +2.18% 30,164 +1.48% 38,122 +4.8% 134,066 +2.75% FY 2012 64,376 +2.67% 29,725 +1.7% 36,375 +0.36% 130,476 +1.8% FY 2011 62,699 +3.17% 29,227 +0.75% 36,246 +0.04% 128,172 +1.71% FY 2010 60,772 +3.28% 29,010 +1.46% 36,230 +0.31% 126,012 +1.99% FY 2009 58,844 +6.83% 28,593 +1.68% 36,119 -0.18% 123,556 +3.5% FY 2008 55,080 28,120 36,183 119,383 Analysis of results and challenges: This data set shows that the Division is providing ever-increasing access to Alaska materials. The State Library shares circulating and online materials, the Archives and Historical Library’s materials are used in-house, and the Museum’s collections are available for exhibition and research. Since FY2013, an average of 2,700 items are added to the Division’s holdings annually. From FY2008 to FY2017, the Division’s holdings increased by 23.6%. Annual library acquisitions are relatively steady. Museums objects increase slowly because acquisitions are often by donation and because of the high cost to purchase artifacts. Archives containers is the total holdings of the Archives, which includes cubic foot storage containers, recorders volumes, and microfilm reels. The big increase in FY2015 in Archives Containers is due to the 3,000 boxes of records that were received from the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA). NARA closed its Alaska facility and affirmed that these records (primarily from the Alaska Courts and Alaska Railroad) should most appropriately stay in Alaska and were transferred to the State Archives. Related links:    • Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums

Current as of January 8, 2019