Library Reports Year Over Year Growth in Most Metrics Despite Physical Circulation Decline

The City of Carlsbad's Library Board of Trustees meeting on August 27, 2025, highlighted significant trends in library usage, reflecting broader shifts in community engagement with library resources. The monthly statistics for July 2025 revealed that five out of six core metrics showed an increase compared to July 2024, indicating a positive trajectory for the library's performance this year.

From January to July 2025, the library has experienced consistent growth in electronic materials, circulation, programs, program attendance, study room utilization, and library visits. This upward trend underscores the effectiveness of the library's strategies to enhance collections and tailor programs to meet community needs. Notably, July marked a milestone with electronic material circulation surpassing 30,000 for the first time, showcasing a growing preference for digital resources among patrons.

However, the meeting also addressed a decline in physical circulation, which has dropped by an average of 5% over the first seven months of 2025. This decline aligns with national trends observed since the COVID-19 pandemic, as many libraries expanded their electronic offerings, leading to a decrease in traditional book checkouts. The board discussed the implications of this shift, emphasizing the need to adapt to changing patron preferences while continuing to support physical collections.

The meeting concluded without public comments, but board members expressed curiosity about the ongoing national trend of decreasing physical book checkouts. The discussions highlighted the library's commitment to evolving with community needs and the importance of balancing digital and physical resources in the future. As the library continues to adapt, it remains focused on fostering engagement and accessibility for all community members.