By Bruce Rolfe
The Lawrence Memorial District Library learned at the board’s meeting September 24 the amount of money patrons have saved checking items out of the library since the beginning of the year is nearly $23,000.
District Library Director Bill Lewis informed the Library Board, since January 1 through August 31, 2025, patron savings checking books or other items out of the building only, has totaled $22,970.06.
Lewis adds patrons realized additional savings using the library’s online resources.
The highest month for patron savings was June when the Director’s Report notes patrons saved $4,064,24.
The local library is also experiencing some growth. Lewis said the library currently has 815 patrons, two more then last month. He adds five more patrons signed up prior to the September 23 meeting and six patrons signed up at a C-S Community Schools open house that was held September 24.
Lewis adds the library staff continues to clean the patron database as people move out of the community or pass away. This creates a monthly fluctuation number but overall, the pattern continues to move upward.
Lewis said there were 801 patrons as of April 1. When he started volunteering at the library six years ago there were 398 patrons on the database.
“We’re turning corners. It’s been a slow process,” said the library director.
Lewis said staff continues to work on books and database updates and relabeling.
Lewis said there was a movie in the park event August 30 that drew 10 people and another movie in the park night September 13 that drew six people.
Lewis notes the Libby Reciprocal Lending Agreement has gone live. He said this is an agreement between the State Library Cooperatives, that allows patrons to borrow books from Libby at no added cost to the library or cooperative. This service will reduce wait times.
Lewis said based on feedback from patrons, the launch has gone well and has been well received.
The Library Board discussed purchasing a new printer that would expand the library’s options to do more with library printers and faxing capabilities. He said one quote has been secured, however the board would like to get at least two more quotes.
The library’s fax machine is offline currently.
Lewis said library check ins for the month of August was 153, check out was 135 and overdrive check out was 111 for a combined total of 399 pieces of material.
The library was open 21 days for 107 hours in the month of August, with a total of 168 adults, 16 juvenile, and 24 children being served. There were four story hours in the month of August with 12 attending. The Dolly Parton reading program was used by 43 patrons.
The Library Board continues to review and upgrade library policies.
The Lawrence Memorial District Library learned at the board’s meeting September 24 the amount of money patrons have saved checking items out of the library since the beginning of the year is nearly $23,000.
District Library Director Bill Lewis informed the Library Board, since January 1 through August 31, 2025, patron savings checking books or other items out of the building only, has totaled $22,970.06.
Lewis adds patrons realized additional savings using the library’s online resources.
The highest month for patron savings was June when the Director’s Report notes patrons saved $4,064,24.
The local library is also experiencing some growth. Lewis said the library currently has 815 patrons, two more then last month. He adds five more patrons signed up prior to the September 23 meeting and six patrons signed up at a C-S Community Schools open house that was held September 24.
Lewis adds the library staff continues to clean the patron database as people move out of the community or pass away. This creates a monthly fluctuation number but overall, the pattern continues to move upward.
Lewis said there were 801 patrons as of April 1. When he started volunteering at the library six years ago there were 398 patrons on the database.
“We’re turning corners. It’s been a slow process,” said the library director.
Lewis said staff continues to work on books and database updates and relabeling.
Lewis said there was a movie in the park event August 30 that drew 10 people and another movie in the park night September 13 that drew six people.
Lewis notes the Libby Reciprocal Lending Agreement has gone live. He said this is an agreement between the State Library Cooperatives, that allows patrons to borrow books from Libby at no added cost to the library or cooperative. This service will reduce wait times.
Lewis said based on feedback from patrons, the launch has gone well and has been well received.
The Library Board discussed purchasing a new printer that would expand the library’s options to do more with library printers and faxing capabilities. He said one quote has been secured, however the board would like to get at least two more quotes.
The library’s fax machine is offline currently.
Lewis said library check ins for the month of August was 153, check out was 135 and overdrive check out was 111 for a combined total of 399 pieces of material.
The library was open 21 days for 107 hours in the month of August, with a total of 168 adults, 16 juvenile, and 24 children being served. There were four story hours in the month of August with 12 attending. The Dolly Parton reading program was used by 43 patrons.
The Library Board continues to review and upgrade library policies.
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