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April library usage dipped year-to-date while program attendance and volunteer hours rose, board reviews April financials and donations
Summary
The board reviewed April statistics showing year-to-date attendance down about 5% and circulation down nearly 6% from April 2024, while program attendance and volunteer hours increased; the finance summary listed recent donations and expenditures from Friends and online donors.
At the May 20 meeting the Fargo Public Library Board reviewed April usage and financial reports showing mixed year-to-date performance: attendance down roughly 5% year-to-date and circulation down about 6% compared with April 2024, while program attendance rose about 17% and volunteer hours were up 18%.
Staff reported electronic page activity down 21% from last year and internet sign-ups down 14%. The presenter noted April 2024 had an unusually high circulation month (24,842 was cited as a record figure for a different month, with the largest April on record being 85,415), explaining some of the year-over-year comparison nuance. "In terms of circulation, what is interesting is it looks like we're down almost 6% in terms of comparison of April, '24 versus '25," staff said.
On the financial side, staff summarized donations received in April: an anonymous $70 unrestricted online donation, $100 restricted for large print books, $800 from the Red Hawks related to an art collaboration, $3,675 from the Friends for summer reading books and theater programming, and smaller Friends expenditures for advertising and programs. Year-to-date operating expenditures were around 30% of budget with roughly 33% of the year elapsed; revenue through April was listed as $12,117.65.
Board members had no further questions and accepted the statistical and financial reports as presented.
