Library saw increase in circulation and programs accessed in 2019

The Moose Jaw Public Library might be quiet now due to the coronavirus, but it was a lively place last year and saw an increase in items borrowed and programs accessed.

The library circulated 282,682 physical and digital items in 2019, which represented an increase of 500 items compared to two years ago, explained Sarah Simison, library board chairwoman. The areas that saw a dramatic shift were digital circulation, which increased 15 per cent over 2018 levels, and circulation of video games, which increased 24 per cent over levels from two years ago.

Last year the library added Nintendo

Switch and a streaming TV and film platform called Kanopy since there was a demand for those. It also supported other databases such as Hoopla and OverDrive since the circulation of some physical materials declined.

“The library continues to analyze the community’s use of our physical and digital collection in order to ensure the funds allocated to materials are directed to areas with the greatest impact,” Simison told city council during its recent regular meeting while giving a presentation on the library’s activities in 2019. There were 163,031 people who visited the library in 2019, which — although a decrease from 170,395 in 2018 — still represented an average of 52 visits for every hour the library was open.

The library had 14,756 active cardholders, which was an increase from 14,688 in 2018. Meanwhile, there were 11,955 logins at public access computers, which was a decrease from 14,166 in 2018.

One of the organization’s aims is to be a centre of lifelong learning and to offer the community equal opportunities to access materials that are informative, educational and recreational, she continued. Patrons visit the library for many reasons, including to borrow materials, to find a quiet space with regular hours to study, and to use the archives.

Despite the notion that the Internet can answer every question, library staff answered 25,427 questions last year — an increase of 4,525 from 2018 — with 10,932 of those questions reference-related. Other questions were about computer use and technology training, in-depth research, genealogy, book recommendations, and selection assistance. Library programs are a significant way the library meets the community’s needs, Simison said. Last year 8,873 people — children, young adults, and adults — attended 541 programs. In particular, attendance for adult programs increased to 2,041 attendees from 123 participants in 2018.

“We accomplished that by working strategically with our community partners to offer high-value programs that were meaningful to our community and aligned with library goals,” she continued. The library fostered partnerships with the Moose Jaw Chinese Association and the Moose Jaw Gamers Association. It also expanded the Imagine Learning Program with Moose Jaw Families for Change and added a site to its outreach with seniors’ homes.

While it’s difficult to assess the library’s success with its online promotions, staff did devote more energy to growing the library’s social media presence to showcase its resources and programs, Simison said. Due to its efforts, the “likes” on the library’s Facebook page increased to 1,524 last year from 1,222 in 2018. Simison highlighted how the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) awarded the MJPL for its 2019 summer reading program. The library also conducted successful outreach efforts with the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Literacy Network, while the chamber of commerce nominated the Friends of the Library group for the 2019 group of the year award.

“We look forward to working hard in 2020 to continue the delivery of high-quality service to the community. While this year has presented its own challenges, we are very proud to offer these services to our community despite our physical closure,” Simison added.

Council then voted unanimously to receive and file the report.