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Brevard libraries report 1.6 million visits and plan renovations, expanded hours and cybersecurity education
Summary
Brevard County Library director Wendy Bost told commissioners the system saw 1.6 million visits last year, circulated over 4.3 million items and is investing in building repairs, ADA upgrades and programs such as CyberPatriot and mobile library services; security and staffing were flagged as top priorities.
Wendy Bost, director of the Brevard County Library System, presented operational highlights and capital needs for the library system during the April 15 budget workshop. She said the libraries recorded about 1.6 million visitor visits last year and circulated more than 4.3 million items.
Why it matters: Libraries serve broad constituencies for reading, public technology, workforce training, children’s programs and community events. Capital maintenance affects accessibility and public programming capacity across locations.
Key points
- Usage and services: Bost said the system has 19 locations (including a mobile library), about 338,000 square feet of library space and reported large increases in volunteer hours and program attendance. She said library staff complete voter-registration updates when patrons sign up for cards and that public computers, e-resources and programs such as LinkedIn Learning and digital library apps (Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla) are heavily used.
- Facilities and capital: Bost described multiple capital projects and maintenance priorities, including roof replacements, plumbing repairs, ADA work, parking-lot and restroom renovations and window replacements. She cited Cocoa Beach, River House renovations and recent roof and painting work at several locations; she said a problematic drain system at the Kathy Schweinsberg Roode Library required an $87,000 repair after multi-floor water intrusion.
- Programs and partnerships: The River House (a renovated historic building) hosts community programs, knitting-for-charity sessions, book clubs and space for service dogs. The system participates in national programs such as CyberPatriot (student cybersecurity competitions) with partners including Northrop Grumman and Codecraft Works; Bost said four local students were in the top 10% nationally in the current competition. Summer reading saw a 30% attendance increase and Beanstack tracked over 1,000,000 minutes of reading in a two-month period.
- Security and staffing: Bost identified staffing, safety and building maintenance as top priorities. The system has pursued more full-time staffing through internal promotions and “snowman” reorganization strategies; several locations have off-duty officers or security monitors and the department is considering additional security measures at five sites.
Ending note
Bost said the library system expanded evening hours (open until 6 p.m. daily at most sites) and continues to develop digital and community programs; she asked the board to continue funding building envelope maintenance and staffing to preserve services.
