By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
Annually, at this time of year, Meg Wempe, library director, prepares an annual report for the library’s board of trustees summarizing the highlights of the past year. The information also is used when your library applies for grants and it is required to be shared with state, county and town governments to keep them informed.
Here are details about your library’s 2022 operations. They show your library continues to flourish and 2022 was a banner year. You can pick up the infographic version of this report at the library.
• Collection development: Providing our patrons with materials that are current and relevant to the diverse interests of the community is one of our principal goals. We have 27,216 items in our collection. In 2022 we added 3,025 items, up .66 percent, including 205 from donations worth $3,475. The materials budget is 11.7 percent of our total expenses.
• Usage stats: We checked out 89,447 physical items, an increase of 5.8 percent over 2021. As well, patrons downloaded 9,816 items — 5,601 e-books and 3,796 e-audio books. We welcomed 21,846 website visits, up an impressive 26.7 percent from last year, and handled 10,184 computer uses, also up more than 26 percent over 2021.
• Programming: Providing programs for all ages is a very high priority. In 2022 we hosted 550 programs with 4,739 attendees, up 10 percent over last year. Examples of popular programs: 19 adults attended our GED program, 42 adults were helped in our monthly legal clinic, 172 attended English as a second language (ESL) classes and 292 took advantage of our Tech Time sessions.
• Volunteers: We are very fortunate to have the ongoing support of the community. Our volunteers contributed 1,575 hours valued at $49,628, up 1.5 hours over the year before.
• Resource sharing: AspenCat allows our patrons access not only to the 27,216 items in our collection, but also to 1.6 million items in the other AspenCat libraries. The Colorado Library Consortium courier service provides five-times-a-week delivery to subscribing libraries throughout the state. In 2022 we borrowed 9,913 items and loaned 2,358. By taking advantage of the purchasing power of the State Library and Colorado Library Consortium, we subscribed to multiple educational databases including EBSCOHost, Learning Express and the Encyclopedia Britannica at substantial savings. You can access these electronic resources and more by clicking on “Online Resources” on our website.
“Since the height of COVID, we have enjoyed a return of patrons as we learn to live with the pandemic,” Wempe said. “With an increased number of patrons, we had increased computer use, website visits, programs and more. We look forward to what 2022 holds, and hope to see you soon at your library.”
Library closure
Your library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, in observance of Presidents Day.
Flu season protocols
The curbside service that we began for COVID safety continues — and it’s also a healthful option in the cold and flu season. To save your energy and lessen germ exposure to other patrons, we recommend you use our curbside service — or add a name to your account authorizing that person to pick up items for you while you recuperate.
Online author talk today
There will be two more talks this month in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors and thought leaders giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with Internet access. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of the authors.
Today, Thursday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. showcases Grace M. Cho, author of “Tastes Like War,” a Korean American daughter’s exploration of food and family history in order to understand her mother’s schizophrenia.
On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m., we’ll interact with Sadeqa Johnson, award-winning author of “The House of Eve.” Johnson has written four novels and is the recipient of the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Award and the USA Best Book Award for best fiction.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the Xbox 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 17, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Makerspace on Saturday
Kids, tweens and teens are invited to a free Makerspace session on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon, when we’ll provide the materials so you can build, design and create.
Pokemon on Saturday
If you love Pokemon, this club is for you. Bring your cards to a fun free all-ages event on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., when you can play games with others who feel the same way.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 2 p.m., we invite you to make your own draft stopper. It is a handy device to keep you warm if you have a draft at the bottom of a door or window that you would like repaired. As always, we’ll supply the materials.
Therapy dog visit next Wednesday
Next Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 11 to 11:45 p.m., you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes — just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This activity is for all ages.
Knowledge Bowl
next Thursday
Our second free Knowledge Bowl is next Thursday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. for tweens and teens. Participants form teams of up to six people to compete against each other by answering questions that cover a range of topics from math to spelling to pop culture. Knowledge Bowl will run every second and fourth Thursday for the remainder of the school year. It is open to students in grades four through eight, or ages 11-14.
Homework and
tutoring help
Our highly popular free homework assistance and elementary tutoring are available for those in kindergarten through fourth grade on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. There is a registration packet for parents and guardians to fill out to enroll your child that you can get by emailing the library or coming in. This program has been a big hit because it helps build essential skills in core subjects. You still can register your child, but you may be put on a wait list.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join us for free in-person children’s stories, games, and plenty of reasons to get up and move.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4 to 5 p.m. reserved for beginners and 5 to 7 p.m. for both intermediate and advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
Nonfiction
“Spare” by Prince Harry is a memoir of his life as a child, adult and especially since he married Meghan and left the Royal Family. “On Savage Shores” by Caroline Dodds Pennock uses surviving literature and poetry to tell the story of indigenous Americans who discovered Europe. “The Bill of Obligations” by Richard Haass introduces 10 commitments Americans should make to save our democracy.
Large print
“Devil’s Delight” by M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green is an Agatha Raisin mystery. “Hell and Back” by Craig Johnson is a Walt Longmire mystery.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The House in the Pines” by Ana Reyes features a young woman testing her memory about a best friend’s death. “All the Dark Places” by Terri Parlato begins with a party celebrating a man’s 40th birthday. “Code 6” by James Grippando is set in the world of Big Data.
Other novels
“The Night Travelers” by Armando Lucas Correa follows four generations of mixed-race women going back to Berlin 1931. “The Daughter of Doctor Moreau” by Silvia Moreno Garcia is an historical sci-fi story set in 19th century Mexico.
DVDs
John Wayne westerns, part of the Silver Screen Icons collection, contains four films. “House of the Dragon” is set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom” is the PBS film.
Books on CD
“The Cabinet of Dr. Leng” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is a thriller featuring FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene. “The Other Eden” by Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Harding tells of a prejudiced schoolteacher who disrupts the lives of a diverse group of people by trying to educate their children. “Without a Trace” by Danielle Steel features a man with the opportunity to walk away anonymously after an accident. “Dark One: Forgotten” by Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells is book one of a new true-crime fantasy series. “Recovery Road” by Christine Feehan is the latest in the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club series.
Donations
Many thanks to Susan and Terry Arrington for their generous monetary donation and to Medora Bass and our anonymous donors for their materials donations.
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not through the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please.
Quotable quote
“You are never too old to reinvent yourself.” — Steve Harvey, TV host, actor and comedian.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs — and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home — please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
