Library usage continues to rise

As per North Dakota Century Code, the Eddy-New Rockford Public Library is required to give a report to both the city and county every year, and this year's was recently delivered by librarian Susie Sharp.

The report was given to county and city commissioners at their regular July meetings, and it showed that usage is the prior year.

The report's data list from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 includes the following, with last year's numbers in parentheses:

• Books added, 175 (371)

• Books lost, 22 (7)

• In-house checkouts, 2,294 (2,226)

• Books withdrawn from circulation, 394 (587)

• Catalog website usage, 3,820 (6,654)

Of particular note was an increase in Overdrive checkouts, which is the number of ebooks and audiobooks being checked out by Eddy-New Rockford Public Library patrons.

This past year there were 2,916 checkouts, 15 percent more than last year (2,546) and 27 percent more than the number of in-house checkouts listed above.

Although the library added 45 new patrons, its total of 1,554 library patrons is just a few shy of last year's number, which stood at 1,562.

Regarding the condition of the library and its property, Sharp noted that a bid is pending for replacement of the ceiling in the women's bathroom, and that a few ceiling tiles elsewhere in the library need to be replaced.

Another positive development has been the use of large-print books.

"In 2023 we received a grant for a standing order for monthly large-print books which were very well received by our patrons, and this year we were able to continue getting those books with a generous donation from the American Legion," Sharp stated.

Meanwhile, in the coming weeks, the library will be hosting an open house to unveil their new children's reading area.

The reading area is being built by John and Kelly McKnight using monetary donations from the local Lions Club and Eagles Club. Once completed, it should serve as a great place for local youth to enjoy their reading material.

Last but not least, Sharp told local officials that this year's summer reading program has also been a great success, with over 370 books read during the month of June.

For more data provided from the annual report, see the graphic at left below which was shared with the commissions by librarian Susie Sharp.