For Immediate Release
MATTOON – The recently concluded first quarter of the fiscal year resulted in year-over-year circulation growth at the Mattoon Public Library.
The 24,207 items checked out represents a 1.1 percent increase over the May-July quarter from last year. The biggest quarterly increases were in new materials (up 27 percent) and teen materials (up 18 percent). The number of movie DVDs checked out increased for the month of July.
“These increases reflect the upticks we see throughout the library, in items checked out, programming and facility use,” said library director Carl Walworth. “We have multiple times in the past couple of years increased our year-over-year circulation for a month. To do that over a quarter, particularly in the summer quarter when traffic is highest, is a compliment to our staff in selecting materials and in their customer-service.”
The teen materials number increases reflect in part items from a $4,999 grant to purchase books for STEAM (science, technologically, engineering, arts and mathematics), for Makerspace programming and young adult literature. Funding for the grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
The library’s regular materials budget is bolstered by state grant funding through the state library and secretary of state.
Teen material checkouts were further promoted by periodically highlighting young adult literature in the first floor adult area, leading some adults to check out young adult items.
“The growth we’re experiencing comes from our community and our staff,” Walworth said. “Our focus is on increased usage in the range of library services we provide consistent with our board’s vision to spark ideas, enrich lives and strengthen our community.”