By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Michael Penrod remembers the doomsday predictions for libraries, with the internet and electronic books rending them obsolete.
“Locally, the numbers don’t bear that out,” said Penrod, director of the Wood County District Public Library.
It could be because the library is always looking for the next chapter on how to reach out to readers, he said during his annual “state of the library” presentation to the Wood County Commissioners on Tuesday.
The library continues to add to its collection of electronic books for people who want to access a good read anytime, anywhere.
It offers job coaching and one-on-one help accessing its 24-7 virtual library.
And instead of shushing children, young patrons are encouraged to read aloud.
This is not a library where new ideas are met with “Shhhhhh.”
Storytime at library.
Last year, the library saw a 3.8 percent increase in borrowing, a 10 percent increase in program attendance, a 25 percent increase in patrons asking staff for assistance, and a 19 percent increase in foot traffic in the building – averaging 4,839 visitors per week.
Borrowed books, ebooks, audiobooks and other items totaled 602,463 last year. The most growth was seen in borrowing of electronic books.
When first hired at the library, Penrod recalled thinking he would spend a couple years at the library before moving on to something “bigger and better.”
“Bigger and better is here,” he told the commissioners.
Penrod said he had just received calculations from the state showing return on investments at the library. For every $1 invested at the library, the community gets $4.14 in return, he said.
The library is always looking at new ways to get people in the door. The library held 1,326 programs and events last year, attended by 25,025 children and adults.
The site now has a job coach who helps people write resumes.
“We just don’t provide a book,” he said. “We are providing a human.”
Commissioner Joel Kuhlman complimented the library on its children’s programs, adding that his kids love going to the library.
“Your youth programs are great,” he said.
Penrod said the kids activities sometimes look chaotic, but they are designed to get children hooked on reading and learning.
“We are noisy and loud and dirty,” he said, noting the benefits of having an outdoor courtyard at the library. “We can literally hose the kids off.”
Library spends 17 percent of budget on new materials each year.
Penrod said the library spends 17 percent of its funding on new materials. The national average is 11 percent. More than 21,000 items will be added to the library’s collection next year.
To make room, the staff “weeds” out outdated items, he said. Many of the old magazines and outdated books are given to daycare centers or secondhand book stores, “so they aren’t going in the dumpster,” he said.
Penrod praised Wood County voters and donors for supporting the library. The library levy, renewed in 2014, accounts for 37 percent of the library’s revenue. Donations help pay for many items, such as the Community Reads author visit.
“Thank you voters. Thank you donors,” he said. “This library is strong because of the community.”
