Library Statistics keep climbing!

We've just compiled some library-usage statistics for the fiscal year which just ended June 30. In every category, the library just keeps getting busier and busier!

For FY07 (July 1, 2006--June 30, 2007), the Dover Public Library:

Circulated 279,332 items to our borrowing patrons. That's almost 10 books per capita. (The national average is 2.86 books per capita, so Dover has great readers!!)

Hosted 685 meetings in our Trustees Room and Lecture Hall. Did you know that your organization or club can meet here for free? (some restrictions apply!)

Filled 16,455 patron "Hold" requests. Interestingly, 65% of these holds were placed online from patrons at computers outside the library. Remote borrowers logged into our online catalog 22,982 times.

Gave out our museum passes (we have 12 different ones) 622 times. If these museum-goers each saved $20 by using our passes (a conservative estimate), then we've saved Dover families over $12,000!

Delivered free Internet access to 28,614 in-house customers. Cardholders get 90 minutes per day while non-cardholders get 20 minutes access per day. Wi-Fi users also get free access 24/7/365.

Had 1,219,450 hits on our main website www.dover.lib.nh.us and another 595,422 hits on our Dover Historical images site http://images.dover.lib.nh.us.

The sky is not falling. The Internet has not doomed libraries. Public libraries have embraced new technologies and customer-centered services and are thriving everywhere!