A Message From Your Library Director
Update: 5:00p.m. Friday, May 29th
Listed below is a breakdown of the percentages and amounts of credit card charges made by 21 Lexington Public Library employees. These amounts do not include charges made by the Foundation or the Executive Director/CEO.
Of the $312,021.65 charged on Library employees’ credit cards (not including the Foundation):
- 22.9% was for equipment ($71,370.43)
- 14.5% was for supplies ($45,298.72)
- 10.1% was for programs ($31,486.02)
- 3.6% was for Library materials (books and circulating items) ($11,134.08)
- 5.1% was for incentives, such as Summer Reading prizes ($15,985.03)
- 3.7% was for meals for Spellbinders, construction, and library business ($11,259.59)
- 3% was for miscellaneous charges ($9,649.75)
- 5.7% was for Staff Development ($17,811.64)
- 7.6% was for Staff Recognition ($23,798.06)
- 23.8% was travel for 84 staff and board members ($74,228.33)
Update: 12:30p.m. Friday, May 15th
In order to provide all the information available to our patrons and the reading public, we are pleased to post the March 2005 Appraisal from the Atlantic Appraisal Company on the Lexington Public Library Parking Garage.
Complete Appraisal of the Central Library Parking Facility
Update: 1:15p.m. Thursday, May 7th
On Wednesday, the City auditors requested additional information. We are in the process of gathering and providing it to them. We continue to work cooperatively with the city to provide them the information they need to finish the audit.
Update: 12:40p.m. Monday, May 4th
The city internal auditors were at the library late Friday afternoon and made a copy of a hard drive from the business office. They assured us they had everything they needed at this time.
Update: 9:30a.m. Tuesday, April 30th
LPL 2008 Annual Report
In our continuing effort to provide as complete information as possible to our constituents, we have posted our 2008 Kentucky Annual Report of Public Libraries. This report offers detailed information about our program and circulation statistics, income and expenditures. This is the same report we submit each year to the city, where it is signed by the Mayor and City Clerk, as required by Kentucky Revised Statutes. If you are interested in prior years’ reports, please contact us, and we can provide you with a copy.
2008 Annual Report Cover Sheet (.pdf)
Update: 1:30p.m. Sunday, April 26th
"The 2008 Library audit shows that the procedural issues noted in the 2007 audit have been corrected. The employee that the comments referenced no longer works for the library. There have been no further problems as evidenced by the 2008 audit letter and complete audit which is available at http://www.lexpublib.org.
The Audit Committee of the Library Board decided to change audit firms in Summer of 2008 since they had been using the same firm for several years. This is standard business procedure and was recommended by Mayor Jim Newberry in a letter dated January 16, 2009 in which he said, "...I encourage you to rotate auditors...". This letter was sent to all city Boards. The Lexington Public Library Board had already implemented this suggestion one year earlier. The Library's current auditing firm is the same firm that LFUCG uses, Mountjoy and Bressler."
Chairman, Lexington Public Library Audit Committee
Complete Lexington Public 2008 Audit Report
Update: 4:00p.m Saturday, April 25th
In an effort to promote transparency in government, I, with the full support of the Library Board, am posting my expenditures for five and a half years, July 2003 – Dec. 30, 2008. The library stands for freedom of information and our books are open.
For your ease of review, I have broken the information into categories and listed the average cost per year. I take seriously any expenditure of public funds.
If you have any question call or email me directly or you can post feedback and suggestions on the website under “About the Library” then Feedback and Suggestions.
Expense Report Summary
Download Complete Expense Summary Report
- Expense Summary
- Gifts, Events, and Staff Development
- Materials for Library Collection
- Meals
- Misc.
- Moving
- Photos
- Travel
Download Kathleen Imhoff's Credit Card Expense Detailed Report
If you are having trouble viewing these .pdf files please download the free Adobe Reader software available here.
Update: 5:00p.m. Friday, April 24th
I met again with the Internal Auditors from LFUCG today. I responded fully to their questions and provided additional information per their request.
Original Message:
The finances of numerous non-profit agencies in our community are being scrutinized both by auditors, and by the media - particularly, the Lexington Herald-Leader.
The Library Board and I have been working with the Herald Leader for many weeks, providing their reporter, John Cheves, with each of the detailed documents, ledgers, receipts and cancelled checks he has requested as part of the paper's investigation. Additionally, on two occasions, myself and others have met with Mr. Cheves totaling over 4 hours. We have answered all of his questions.
We have been advised that Mr. Cheves' story will appear in Sunday's paper. If the story raises questions he feels the library may not have answered to his satisfaction, we will endeavor to provide him with any additional information/documentation he needs. The Library stands for freedom of information. All of our books are open.
Yesterday (Thursday, April 23), auditors from the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government began its own investigation of how the Library spends its money. LFUCG has every right to scrutinize the Library's financial records. LFUCG is the primary source of the Library's income. We will continue to work closely with the auditors to provide any and all information and documentation they request.
We are extremely proud that our Lexington Public Library system is often recognized as being one of the finest in the nation. Great libraries are cornerstones of great cities. If you have questions or comments about these audits, feel free to contact us at 231-5599.