Dickinson Area Public Library reports record visits, circulation and outreach in 2024

Dickinson Area Public Library Director Natalie Anguino presented the library’s 2024 annual report during the March 18 Dickinson City Commission meeting, saying the library set records for patrons, circulation and programming while expanding outreach to schools and elder-care facilities.

“We had 76,695 patrons visit the Dickinson Area Public Library in 2024. That's 6,000 more than in 2023,” Anguino told commissioners. She also reported record circulation numbers, with strong growth in both physical and digital collections, and expanded outreach through the bookmobile and school-based programs.

Why it matters

The library’s report shows a sustained increase in community use of public library services. Increased circulation, higher program attendance and the bookmobile’s expanded stops indicate broader reach into Stark and Billings counties; Anguino said the bookmobile made 306 stops in 2024 and traveled more than 14,000 miles. The library’s new “experience pass” program allows patrons to check out free admission passes to local and regional attractions and has seen strong demand.

Key figures and programs

- 76,695 patrons visited the library in 2024 (up ~6,000 from 2023). - 53,194 physical children’s items borrowed; total physical circulation also set records. - Digital circulation (ebooks and audiobooks) rose to 50,319. - The bookmobile recorded 306 stops and served 1,430 unique patrons off-site; it circulated 2,631 items from the bookmobile alone. - The library achieved the state “future focus” status (highest achievement for state funding) on June 3, 2024. - Programming increased to 492 sessions in 2024 (from 357 in 2023); attendance grew 16% overall with notable gains among teens and adults.

Programs highlighted

Anguino outlined successful offerings including preschool and tiny-tot story times, STEAM programming, a popular “Rough Readers” program where children read to a trained dog, middle-school lunch events with library-provided meals, and outreach “armchair travels” for elder-care residents. The experience-pass partnerships include the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Dakota Zoo and other regional sites.

Budget note and next steps

Anguino said the library’s 2025 budget request was reduced by about 20% from prior years while maintaining service levels. She also said work continues on building maintenance and preservation tasks, including window replacement and masonry repairs, and that staff hope to expand school partnerships to every Dickinson school in coming years.

Commission response

Commissioners congratulated Anguino and library staff on the report and the expanded outreach. Anguino said she would return with additional updates as projects and school partnerships expand.