Lycoming County Library System reports record checkouts, expands outreach and programming

Amy Rasch, assistant administrator for the Lycoming County Library System and director of the James B. Brown Library, told Lycoming County commissioners on March 5 that library usage rose across nearly all measures in 2024 and highlighted expanded outreach and new programs for 2025.

Rasch said the system recorded 468,150 physical checkouts and 62,127 digital checkouts last year, a circulation total she estimated saved county residents about $8,126,000. She said outreach vehicles now serve 91% of Lycoming County residents in their home municipality and deliver Wi‑Fi and digital resources for two-week lending windows between visits.

The report matters because the system serves a widely dispersed, largely rural county and relies on a mix of county aid, state aid, municipal support and local fundraising, Rasch said. She noted nearly $900,000 in gifts and grants to member libraries in 2024 and said those funds help sustain services alongside public funding.

Rasch walked commissioners through recent and planned programs. She said January’s Hughesville Area Public Library trolley event drew about 84 participants and that the James B. Brown Library is planning multiple fundraising and outreach events in 2025. She described systemwide initiatives including monthly bilingual story time at the James B. Brown Library (first Saturday of every month), Remake Learning events in May (including a May 1 weather program at the Jersey Shore Public Library in partnership with Penn State students), summer learning programs running July through September and a National Young Readers Week activity in November. She said the Montgomery Area Public Library will again co‑host a Firefighters in the Park event featuring local volunteer fire companies, activities for toddlers and free ice cream from a local vendor.

Rasch also described successful local partnerships: a bilingual story time intended to bring English and Spanish speakers together for songs and crafts; a supermarket challenge in partnership with Wise Market and Energy Bank; and planned STEAM programming with local partners. She emphasized the libraries’ role as “third spaces” where children, seniors, homeschool families and others can meet and build social skills in addition to accessing materials.

Trustees and staff attended the presentation. Rasch named Diane Eck (Jersey Shore Public Library), Christy Forsman and Penny Johnson (Fuseville Area Public Library), John Confer (James B. Brown Library), Bob Weaver (Dr. W. B. Konkle Memorial Library) and Larry Stout (Montgomery Area Public Library). She also identified Kristen Keringe as the Lycoming County Library System chief financial officer and Leslie Crooks as the system’s outreach manager and books‑bus driver. Commissioners asked a few clarifying questions about program schedules and turnout; Rasch provided dates and attendance figures.

The presentation concluded with Rasch thanking commissioners for county support and inviting them to view the system’s annual report and patron cards collected during “Love Your Library Month.”