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Hamilton East Public Library reports steady circulation, security upgrades and outreach growth
Summary
Library director Melissa Lysell told the council the system serves more cardholders than its estimated population, circulated roughly 2.29 million items in 2024 and is studying a potential third branch while investing in security and digital collections.
Melissa Lysell, director of the Hamilton East Public Library, presented the library’s annual report to the Hamilton County Council, saying the system serves four townships and has more registered resident cardholders than the most recent census population estimate for its service area.
Lysell said the library’s service territory census population is 80,617 while the system currently has 87,410 registered resident cardholders. The library reported circulating 2,294,067 items in 2024; about one‑third of circulation was for electronic materials, though the majority remains print and physical media.
Lysell told the council the library increased capital outlays in 2024 to expand library materials, upgrade computers, replace older furniture and complete a security overhaul that added cameras and access control on doors. She said salaries and benefits remain the largest operating expense. She also explained a temporary dip in door‑count numbers was caused by a sensor failure; the vendor has fixed the sensor and the library expects counts to rise next year.
On programming and outreach, Lysell said program attendance increased in 2024 across age categories after staff removed programs with persistently low attendance and targeted offerings with proven demand. The outreach team reached more than 25,000 people last year and attended more than 100 events, including local festivals, elementary school literacy nights, senior centers and farmer’s markets. The library launched a new website and app, and it has started a feasibility study examining a potential third branch to serve growing parts of Wayne and Fall Creek townships.
Lysell identified digital collection costs as an ongoing challenge: some platforms charge per item, and a single digital title can cost several times more than a physical book. She said the library capped use of one vendor (Hoopla) last year to avoid depleting the materials budget midyear and that patron feedback influenced vendor decisions.
Councilors thanked Lysell for the presentation and accepted offers to tour the library branches. Lysell invited councilors to visit either library for a grand tour.
