Hamilton East Public Library reports higher program attendance, expands outreach
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Summary
Library Director Melissa Loisel told county commissioners the Hamilton East Public Library saw program attendance rise across age groups in 2024, launched outreach with a new van and custom wrap, and is completing security and feasibility work for a possible third branch.
Melissa Loisel, director of the Hamilton East Public Library, told the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on March 10 that the library system saw program attendance rise in 2024 across every age category and reported increased outreach to residents.
Loisel said the library system — which covers Noblesville, Wayne, Delaware and Fall Creek townships — now has 87,410 registered cardholders and serves roughly 87,617 people in its service territory. “We circulated 2,294,067 items,” she said, adding that about one-third of that circulation was electronic material. “We do have the top 5 most popular items on this slide. 3 of those top 5 are children's materials.”
The presentation included budget and operations details. Loisel said salaries and benefits are the library's largest expenditures and that the library spent 21% of its operating budget on services and charges, including cleaning, information technology, utilities, repairs and the library's digital subscriptions. She said the library increased spending on library materials in 2024 and upgraded computers and worn furniture.
On outreach, Loisel said HEPL on the Move — the library’s outreach team — reached more than 25,000 people at over 100 events in 2024, a roughly 20% increase from the prior year. “We have an outreach team, and they do a really great job representing the library at a wide variety of events. They now have a new van and it's custom designed for our outreach team,” she said.
Loisel described operational issues and fixes: one door-count sensor was reporting incorrect entries and exits and has been repaired, and the library has limited some digital collection checkouts and monthly spending to keep the digital materials budget from being exhausted too early in the year. She also said the library is completing a security system overhaul and has begun a feasibility study for a potential third branch to serve growing parts of Wayne and Fall Creek townships. “We're almost finished with overhauling our security system so that our space is the safest it possibly can be for the community,” she said.
Commissioners asked about capital outlays and construction. Loisel said most construction is complete but the library has punch-list items at the Noblesville location and plans small projects in 2025 to correct items left undone during prior construction. She said capital outlays in 2024 were used largely for library materials, door access/security, computer upgrades and replacement of 20-year-old furniture.
Loisel also noted changes to patron-facing services: the library adjusted checkout limits and spending caps for a large digital collection to keep the budget balanced and is working with a new vendor to fix public printing problems.
The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking Loisel and noting improved communications between the library and county leaders. Loisel said she distributes monthly reports to the commissioners, the county council, both school systems and the mayors of both cities.
The commission took no formal vote on the presentation because it was submitted as an informational annual report.
