As libraries across the nation prepare to celebrate National Library Week (April 7-13) Wayne Public Library has provided information on the services provided and statistics from the past year.
Every year the Nebraska Library Commission, along with state library agencies from all other states and U.S. territories, collects statistics through the Public Library Survey.
There are almost 90 shared data elements in this survey that are used to analyze and compare public library service in the U.S.
With completing this report, Wayne Public Library can observe trends and interest of the community and share consistent data sets from year to year to make budgetary decisions.
The Fiscal Year of 2022-2023 started as a year of continued growth. The staff was highly motivated to re-establish the library's successes before COVID-19.
Online resources were at an all-time high during the pandemic and have continued to grow since then. So attention turned to programs and resources to bring people back into the library.
Heather Headley, Director of the Library, Sharon Carr, Adult Services librarian, and Kim Warner, Youth Services Librarian, got to work vigorously on providing the community with more hands-on programs.
The first was Video Game Day, with a life-size Mario Cart course in the library with a positive reaction from patrons.
This furthered discussion on what other special programs could be offered.
They expanded computer classes to include Google Suite and Microsoft Suite classes, and also offered photo shoots, with Halloween "Fall Thing" day.
When the community enjoyed this, Adult Services Librarian Sharon added another photo shoot in November with a holiday theme.
Youth Services Librarian Kim created the idea of Sweet Taste of Wayne. This program was in November, allowing the community to sample desserts from professional and amateur bakers.
This event went well, and with the positive feedback from those that attended, expanded to an annual event and a fundraiser for the Friends of the Wayne Public Library.
Adult Services Librarian Sharon developed the Spice Club, created for patrons to sample spices and learn the recipes for a potluck at the end of the year.
The club also helped develop the library collection, including more cookbooks for patrons to check out to cook with the spices.
Librarians kept the regular programming throughout the year, including Toddler-time, outreach programs with the preschools and daycares, monthly adult book club, youth coloring club, and other annual programs such as Santa at the Library, Mini Art Exhibit, Anti Valentine's Day for teens, and the Easter Egg Hunt.
The library saw some success with these efforts, with an increase in library visits by 6%, which was 32,167 people coming into the library. Patron card sign-ups were up 8%, with 2,023 registered patrons.
The library's on-shelf check-out items showed a small increase. They went up 4% to 59,306 items circulated. The online access still shows increase in uses with adult downloads up 2% and youth up 10%.
Patrons have access to databases: Libby/OverDrive for digital materials, and the language learning app Pronunciator. Due to low use following the end of pandemic, the library discontinued Beanstack.
As shelf space continues to be at its limit, it was important for the library to continue to weed the books to provide more popular and new collections for patrons to check out.
Kim and Heather weeded 5,393 books, 2 audiobooks, 100 Videos (DVDS), 17 magazines (some were discontinued by publishers or moved to the online only option) and added 2,285 books, 106 ebooks, 156 Audiobooks, 66 online Audiobooks, 268 Videos (DVD), 1 Magazine, 151 Games, Puzzles, Tablets, Toys, Equipment.
The total physical collection at the end of September 2023 was 30,840, and the total with online materials is 61,952 for a total collection of 92,792 items.
WPL Social Media continues to thrive with 343 followers on Instagram and 1,400 followers on Facebook, up from 1,190. The library also received support from the WPL Foundation for Staff Recognition; and the Bressler Trust funds that the Foundation oversees was utilized to expand the large print collection.
The Friends of the Wayne Public Library helped with many programs and provided a new book cart, reading challenge prizes and staff recognition during the short staffing period in the spring.
Hasemann Funeral Home sponsored the 2023 Easter Egg Hunt. The Eagles Club donated Large Print books.
The community showed the most generosity to date in response to the Summer Reading Program fundraising campaign with over $6,000 raised for SRP 2023.
"These funds allowed us to be more generous in our prizes of Chamber Bucks and host a carnival as our kickoff event which almost 200 people enjoyed. There were 302 youth that signed up for the summer and they read 1,311 hours in June and 1,918 books in July," Headley said.
Adults also participated with 42 registered, with 10 completing the entire bingo card for a blackout.
Spring 2023 brought new faces to the library, with five new employees being hired, including Adult Services Nicole Johnson who started in May. Fall 2023 added new Youth Services Librarian Aleisha Ruimveld to the staff.
The library was able to grow in the area of online and maintain all annual programs.
Goals remain focused on serving the community of Wayne and the surrounding areas by providing access, resources, and programs that are of interest.
National Library Week is a time to celebrate our nation's libraries, library workers' contributions and promote library use and support.
The theme for National Library Week 2024 is "Ready, Set, Library," illustrating the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most.
"At the library’s author talks, workshops, and book clubs, Americans can connect with fellow enthusiasts and local experts while building relationships that will last a lifetime. No matter where you find yourself on the roadmap through life’s journey—preparing for a new career, launching a business, or raising a family—the library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs," Headley added.
Anyone with questions about services available are asked to reach out to the library at (402) 375-3135.
