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Bethel Park library reports 2024 usage: 1 in 3 residents active, 334,000 items checked out
Summary
Library Director Christine McIntosh presented a 2024 year-in-review to council: about one-third of Bethel Park residents used library services last year; nearly 29,000 attended library programs; and staff answered more than 19,600 reference questions.
Christine McIntosh, director of the Bethel Park Public Library, told council on March 10 that the library’s 2024 usage figures show steady public engagement and a high volume of material circulation.
McIntosh said one in three Bethel Park residents had an active library card in 2024. The library recorded just over 99,000 in-person visits and 334,000 items checked out during the year. McIntosh said the checkout volume represents an estimated cost savings of $7,330,000 to residents if they had bought comparable materials at average market prices ($26 for adult materials, $18 for juvenile materials).
McIntosh also reported program and service metrics: the library hosted 1,740 programs in 2024 with attendance just under 29,000; 7,539 patrons used library pickup lockers; and professional librarians answered 19,634 reference questions. She described reference questions as more than directional queries, citing examples such as identifying a bird from a photo and trivia inquiries.
McIntosh said the library operates 58 hours a week from September through May (seven days) and 54 hours a week in June–August (six days), and it offers 24-hour online services and pickup lockers. She noted that some library outcomes — for example, referrals to social services or long-term literacy impacts from story times and family programs — are difficult to quantify.
McIntosh’s presentation was an informational report; no council action was taken on the library report during the meeting.
