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Atherton Library reports jump in visits and circulation in 2023'24 fiscal year
Summary
The Atherton Library, part of the San Mateo County Libraries Joint Powers Authority, reported sharp increases in in-person visits, circulation and program attendance for fiscal year 2023-24 and previewed strategic-plan work and outreach programs for older adults and English learners.
San Mateo County Libraries and Atherton Library staff presented the system's fiscal year 2023-24 annual report to the Atherton City Council, citing increases in visits, circulation, program attendance and digital use countywide and at the local branch.
Ginny Nies, Atherton Library Manager, told the council the countywide joint powers authority celebrated its 25th anniversary and that San Mateo County Libraries served 3.9 million visitors systemwide and circulated 2.4 million items last year, with a 16% increase in visitors compared with the prior year. At the local level, Nies said the Atherton Library had more than 100,000 visitors and circulated 125,000 items in 2023-24, increases of roughly 40,000 visits and 25,000 circulations from the prior fiscal year.
"We are proud to say that members surveyed gave San Mateo County Libraries a 98% favorability rating," Nies said. She outlined service expansions that included maker-space bookings, a 24/7 lending outpost pilot in Pacifica and expanded tech and wellness programming for older adults. Nick Hernandez, a librarian who joined Nies, highlighted English-language offerings including weekly English conversation clubs and a free English class taught by a certified instructor.
Councilmembers thanked library staff for outreach and for connecting county-level services to Atherton residents. Several council members noted that the Atherton Library's makerspace, laptop and hotspot lending and increased evening hours during storms had been well used. The presentation also noted the library's role as a community resource during weather and power outages in partnership with county emergency services, the Red Cross and PG&E.
Nies and Hernandez said staff are updating a systemwide strategic plan and will return with information developed from surveys, stakeholder interviews and community outreach. The library managers said volunteer contributions remain significant (about 500 volunteers reporting roughly 25,000 hours systemwide), and they thanked the council for continued partnership.
