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Kansas City, Kansas Public Library reports stable circulation, rising digital use and increased program attendance
Summary
Library Director Laura Hunt presented 2024 statistics showing about 642,000 circulations, a shift toward digital checkouts, a 12% rise in programs and an 18% increase in program attendance; the board accepted the director’s report and the Turner quarterly report.
Laura Hunt, director of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, presented the library’s 2024 summary to the school board on Jan. 28, saying total circulation held steady at about 642,000 items while digital checkouts increased by approximately 20,000 and physical checkouts declined by a similar amount.
Hunt said the library launched a new website and logo in October, which drove a temporary spike in web traffic; staff are correcting Google Analytics tagging and replacing door counters to improve branch‑visit accuracy. The library reported a roughly 12% increase in programs year‑over‑year and an 18% rise in program attendance, with typically high summer participation tied to the summer reading program.
Hunt invited board members to library events and said staff will separate recorded/virtual program statistics from in‑person attendance going forward for clearer tracking. The board voted to accept the director’s informational report and also approved the Turner Library quarterly report.
Board members asked about potential new programs and Hunt said branch librarians and supervisors use community feedback to shape programming; the director said she would consult staff and the community before proposing new initiatives.
