Handley Regional Library System announces today the release of their annual library usage stats from fiscal year of July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020. Overall reports showed continued community usage despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The report reflects program and service usage at all 3 library locations – Handley Library, Bowman Library, and Clarke County Library. These stats, along with others, are reported annually by the library system for funding and analysis of additional initiatives.
“It really is a great thing to be have a community so involved with not only what is happening at their local library, but relying on library services and programs during everyday life,” says John Huddy, Director of Handley Regional Library System. “Our stats show that library usage extends beyond the physical library walls and continues with at home access to our 24/7 Digital Library. Even during our building closures and limited services because of COVID-19, the library system is still viewed as a critical resource.”
Overall Service and Library Usage
- 275,614 patrons of all ages visited the library
- 656,937 physical and digital materials were borrowed from the library. This includes books, Wifi hotspot devices, digital tablets, eBooks, audiobooks, music downloads, and streaming movies and television.
- 48,064 total Wifi internet hours logged by patrons inside and outside the buildings
- 26,898 sessions of internet stations occurred resulting in 21,136 total in-library internet hours
- 3,550 library cards were issued
- 1,339 patrons visited the Stewart Bell Jr. Archives at Handley Library
- 399 meeting room reservations occurred and 3,177 study rooms were used
- 8,123 hours of volunteer work completed
Library Programs
- 4,200 adults attended 204 programs
- 1,325 programs for kids and families – in the library, virtually, and at library sponsored events – occurred with 43,527 total attendees
Key Patron Service and Delivery Initiatives Implemented for the Year
- Installation of RFID Self-Checkout Kiosks at all 3 locations
- Implementation of Automated Book Return/Material Handley at Bowman Library
- Enhanced focus of STEAM activities and programs for kids and teens
- Tech Tuesdays Technology Classes for Adults
- Expansion of 1455 Author Talk Series
- Launched the first Push Your “Shelf” Challenge to incentivize patrons to try something new at the library – from using a database to downloading an eBook for the first time.
- Remote Printing PrintMe Service
- Online Streaming Movies, TV, music, and more with Hoopla
- Continued partnerships with community and business networking groups for presentation and advocacy of library services
A Gallop Poll released in early 2020 showed that in 2019, more people visited the library than went to the movies nationwide.
“People enjoy coming to the library for a performance, streaming a movie online, or learning something new for free with their library card,” adds Huddy.
For more information, contact the public relations department at mswain@handleyregional.org.
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