Library reports record May circulation, mixed year‑to‑date usage and donation receipts

Tim, Fargo Public Library director, reviewed the May statistical and financial reports at the June 17 meeting. He said year‑to‑date attendance was down about 5% compared with last year, while program attendance was up about 16% and volunteer hours were up about 13% year‑to‑date. Internet signups were reported down about 14% and webpage hits down about 23% compared with the previous year.

Tim highlighted that May circulation totaled 87,544 — a new record for the month since the three library locations opened — though year‑to‑date circulation remained about 4% below the prior year. He said "the big growth obviously is electronic and audio and e audio books."

On donations, Tim reviewed a donation summary through May that included an annual gift routed through Benevity and larger line items listed in the packet: a $32,178 figure that included $26,260 from endowment funds designated by the board for carpet and other items, $2,318 noted for the summer reading kickoff, and $3,600 from Friends for Northern Narratives (also referenced as Northern Focus in the packet). On the expenditure side, the packet listed $200 for billboard ads for Northern Narratives and $393 for summer reading program supplies; the packet also listed a reupholstery item shown as $8.75. Tim said the board had approved funding about $2,000 for Jazz into Fall and that October book sale dates are being set for a July meeting report.

All financial and statistical reports were presented for information; the board did not take votes on program funding changes at the meeting.