Created a budget proposal for a theoretical Electronic Petting Zoo for my Library Administration and Management class. This is a fictional budget proposal intended to give practice in writing budget proposal to students.

1. Rainie Themer LIS505LE M. Wong
Memorandum
Date: 11 May 2015
To: Normal Public Library Board of Directors
From: Rainie Themer, Adult Services Librarian
Subject: ELECTRONIC PETTING ZOO: TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT
At Normal Public Library we strive to bring unique and beneficial services to our patrons. Adult
patrons make up 68% of Normal Public Library’s customers, many of whom visit the library to
use our technological services. New technologies are coming out faster than any one person can
keep up with and many of our adult patrons may be interested in some of these newer
technologies. Many may be interested in purchasing technologies for their personal use.
However, this task can be daunting. How do you choose which operating system you should run
on your desktop or laptop? Which tablet or eReader is the right product for you? By creating the
Normal Public Library Electronic Petting Zoo, we will allow our patrons to have time to try out
different, popular technologies before deciding if they are interested in purchasing these items
for themselves.
I propose that the Normal Public Library Electronic Petting Zoo offer multiple different
technologies that our patrons may be interested in trying out, including Apple and Android based
tablets, Kindle eReaders, multiple operating systems, software programs such as Photoshop, and
even noise cancelling or wireless headphones. Once a month, Normal Public Library will hold a
two hour long drop in Electronic Petting Zoo session where adult patrons, ages 18 to 118, can
play with new technologies. Three trained library employees will work the Electronic Petting
Zoo and will answer any questions patrons may have about using the technology. We are
currently in conversation with Best Buy to have $5000 worth of devices, software, and hardware
donated to the library if Normal Public Library will match the amount. The matching amount can
be used for training, staffing, marketing, and storage of the devices.
The Electronic Petting Zoo will be very beneficial to our patrons because we will be providing
them a unique service. Our adult patrons will be able to learn about new technologies, take them
for a test run, and see if these technologies will meet their needs. By offering this at Normal
Public Library, we are giving patrons a safe and comfortable place to ask questions. This service
could help ease their anxiety and help them be more confident when deciding to purchase new
technology for personal use. Not only will these sessions help patrons learn more about
technology, but the devices, software, and hardware can be used by patrons in the library when
the Electronic Petting Zoo is not in session. If there is enough interest in the Electronic Petting
Zoo, we could even consider eventually implementing training workshops on the new
technology we have purchased for the Electronic Petting Zoo. By approving this project, Normal
Public Library will be creating a unique and exciting program for our adult patrons, expanding
our library services, and are opening the potential for more exceptional programs in the future.

2. Rainie Themer LIS505LE M. Wong
Itemized Project Budget
Devices, Hardware, Software
ITEM PRICE QUANTITY VENDOR FUND TOTAL
COST
Apple-iPad Air with
WI-FI – 16GB –
(Silver), Screen
Protector, Case,
Stylus, Audio Cable
& Earbuds Package
$449.99 2 Best Buy Best Buy $899.98
Asus- Transformer
Pad T100TAF-
10.1”-Intel Atom –
32GB – With
Keyboard, Grey
$249.99 2 Best Buy Best Buy $499.98
Amazon – Kindle
Paperwhite High
Resolution – 6” –
4GB – Black
$119.99 2 Best Buy Best Buy $239.98
Windows 8.1 –
Operating System $119.99 2 Best Buy Best Buy $239.98
Windows 7
Professional With
Service Pack 1 64-
bit
$135.99 2 Best Buy Best Buy $271.98
Apple – 21.5” iMac
All-in-One
Computer – 8GB
Memory -1 TB Hard
Drive
$1269.99 2 Best Buy Best Buy $2539.98
Ubuntu Operating
System
FREE 1 Ubuntu.com NPL FREE
Adobe Photoshop
Elements 13 – Mac /
Windows
$99.99 2 (one for
Windows
OS, one for
Mac OS )
Best Buy Best Buy $199.98
Sony – Bluetooth
On-Ear Stereo
Headphones, Black
$99.99 1 Best Buy Best Buy $99.99
Beat by Dr. Dre –
Beats Solo On-Ear
Wireless
Headphones, Black
$299.99 1 Best Buy NPL $299.99
Total Cost: $5291.84

3. Rainie Themer LIS505LE M. Wong
Personnel, training, staffing (wages based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
SERVICE STAFF PRICE/HR HOURS FUND TOTAL
COST
Training on
devices,
operating
systems,
software
(Trainer)
1 FTE, IT
Librarian
$27.94 25 NPL $698.50
Training on
devices,
operating
systems,
software
(trainees)
5 FTE, library
clerks
$16.19 25 NPL $2023.75
Wages for
staff working
sessions
3 FTE, library
clerks
$16.19 2 hours / 12
times a year NPL
$1165.65
Wages for PR
Librarian
(writing press
release, adding
events to
website, social
media blasts)
1 FTE, PR
Librarian
$27.50 14 NPL $385.00
TOTAL
WAGES
$4272.9
Other Expenses
ITEM PRICE QUANTITY VENDOR FUND TOTAL COST
Datum Tablet
Charging
Depots
$429.99 1 Demco NPL $429.99
TOTAL
COST
$429.99
TOTAL COSTS: $9994.73