By Charles Lefebvre

Library circulation remains steady; program attendance grows

Jan 4, 2019 | 4:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Public Library says it has been holding steady in terms of circulation numbers, but have been seeing growth in other programs and services it offers.

According to data collected through the year, more than 453,000 items were circulated at the library in 2018, a number that has remained consistent with previous years.

“That’s about seven items per Hatter,” said chief librarian Ken Feser. “That just goes to show that the library is getting used by the community.”

Feser adds the library has been seeing more growth in program attendance.

“We’ve actually doubled the number of programs that we’ve offered in the past two years,” he said. “We’ve had a 40 per cent increase in attendance. We’re up to 9,800 per year in attendance with programs.”

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Programs include video game nights, teen and tween nights, movie screenings and children’s story time, among others.

Feser adds being a community hub has increasingly become a focus for the library.

“We’ve both heard it from our community through out needs assessment and service planning that it’s something Hatters desire from our library,” he said. “I would say it’s a larger social movement that people are hungry for connection, and the library is a place where you can meet with other people and connect with the community.”

The most attended program last year at the library was an author talk with Mark Sakamoto, shortly after his book “Forgiveness” won the 2018 edition of CBC Canada Reads, where nearly 900 people attended (Sakamoto’s book was also the most circulated nonfiction book in 2018).

Feser says novels by James Patterson were among the most circulated title in fiction, and the Captain Underpants series were popular among children as well.

Over the coming year, Feser says improving community programs in the library will be a focus, adding the library will also be undertaking small fundraisers to help improve its collection and experience for users.