The Durango Public Library expected to receive about 220,000 visitors over the course of 2023. But patronage to the library far exceeded expectations with over 280,000 people visiting the library by the year’s end.
Library Director Luke Alvey-Henderson said at a Feb. 6 Durango City Council study session visitation “just demolished our goal” by 32%.
The library was leaps and bounds above 2022 operations and activities, with at least a 20% increase in every factor measured, he said:
- Over 14,000 residents and visitors attended library programs in 2023, a 27% increase from the previous year.
- The library circulated more than 320,000 items, 20% more than in 2022.
- The library gained 3,300 new library cardholders, 65% more than the previous year.
- Seventy-three percent more computer sessions were hosted by the library in 2023 with more than 31,000 sessions.
- The library booked over 950 public rooms last year, 31% more than in 2022.
- Outreach events nearly tripled last year over 2022, with more than 1,614 direct interactions at such events.
Alvey-Henderson said he does not expect the same sort of “unparalleled growth” this year, although he does anticipate a similar number of visitors, between 280,000 and 290,000, to make use of the library and its services this year.
He said the library is shifting its attention from circulation to visitation to use as its key performance indicator because visitation ties back to everything it does, including buying and disseminating items such as books; library services; programs; outreach and use of space.
The library’s top asset is and “for time immemorial” will always be its physical media collection, he said. Over 12,000 physical items such as books, STEAM Discovery kits, games and puzzles were added to the library’s collection last year.
The library introduced Wonderbooks, audio and physical books combined, to its collection this year, which along with reading-related games and puzzles are great for readers and people learning to read to connect reading with activity, he said.
And the library added 1,300 to its digital collection with over 4,000 copies available per title.
Alvey-Henderson said the library is also making strides in identifying community connections to reach underserved communities.
“We found that regional and countywide coalitions are just an excellent way to find out what underserved communities need directly to offer those communities direct access to our resources who may not be aware of it through these third parties who are part of the coalitions,” he said.
He said joining the Health Care Improvement Coalition and the Coordinated Entry System gives the library another seat at the table on discussions about language justice and the unhoused community.
cburney@durangoherald.com
