Reuben Mcmillan Free Library Association

What it reported doing in 2024

The 2024 summer discovery program focused on encouraging literacy and learning during the summer months to prevent the "summer slide" of skills, particularly reading, that can occur in school age children who aren't in a formal learning environment during those months. Participants of all ages were challenged to complete reading activities and engage with their community through library and community activities. Learning activities varied by age level and were correlated to Ohio department of education content standards. For example, activities like having a dance party and reading a book about dancing encompassed the standards for social emotional development and language and literacy development. A free book and other incentives were awarded to those who earned daily points for their reading or activities. Additionally, programs were scheduled to engage the public in continued learning opportunities and community connection opportunities. Programs are selected to support the summer discovery theme and many are presented by subject area experts or entertainers from outside of our system. We had several programs that were available all summer long to help engage youth, teens, and adults in exploring science concepts, reading, and social connection. Based on feedback from staff and patrons, a large central kickoff event was hosted at a local park followed by individual events at each branch. The 2024 summer discovery program focused on helping readers achieve the completion goal. We saw an 18% increase in total registration and we saw a 47% completion rate among those that signed up.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.3%; rating input score 89
• Program expense ratio: 90.8%; rating input score 91
• Fundraising efficiency: $682.48 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 95; 95th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90%; rating input score 90; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 3.3%; rating input score 48; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.27; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 99; 99th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.2%; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.5% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.5% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings