Helen Matthes Library Has Record-Breaking Year

Helen Matthes Library broke multiple records in the financial year that ended April 30.  In fact the year proved to be the most successful to date for the increasingly busy library.

During the year, library users checked out or used over 163,000 items, an increase of 16% from the previous year. Checkouts of children’s items increased 19% with 62,565 items checked out, the largest number of checkouts to children in the library’s history.

Other records broken during the fiscal year included: a 53% increase in the number of those attending programs for adults, with 2,102 people attending programs ranging from computer classes, social networking classes, DIY classes, financial planning and many more. Youth programming attendance was up 24% with 6,833 children (0-18) attending programs. Summer Read Program participation was up 13% with 1,102 children taking part in the six week program last year.  

“We are so pleased to share these great statistics from this past year. As the numbers clearly indicate, Helen Matthes Library continues to provide community engagement and lifelong learning opportunities whether through books, programs or internet access to the Effingham area. Thank you to our users for choosing to take advantage of all their library card offers them” Amanda McKay, library director, noted.

Helen Matthes Library also participated in a further 116 community events, such as community fairs and visits to area schools and reached an additional 3,423 people and providing an invaluable link to the community.

Further increases were seen in the 5,744 items downloaded through Library On The Go, the Library’s digital library, up from 3,470. Also logged were 25,793 computer sessions, clearly showing the continued need for technology access in the Effingham area. This figure does not include those taking advantage of the library’s Wi-Fi access.

During FY2013 Helen Matthes Library was also awarded 2 Best of Show Awards from the American Library Association for its 2012 Summer Reading Program for Adults and its Fundraising Brochure.