Nevada Public Library reports record use in 2024 and new accessibility improvements

Emily Holm, interim director of the Nevada Public Library, reported to the City Council on Jan. 13 that 2024 was a record year for library use and outreach.

Holm said the library added more than 1,900 new patrons in 2024—about 1,484 more than in 2023—and now lists 6,646 registered patrons. Staff recorded more than 46,000 visits to the library during the fiscal year and circulated over 42,000 items, including books, DVDs and equipment such as telescopes and page magnifiers.

The library logged 68 study-room and meeting-room uses, about 4,694 computer sessions (mostly by teenagers) and more than 12,000 Wi-Fi sessions. Interlibrary loan activity included nearly 500 outgoing materials and roughly 900 incoming items to support local patron requests. Volunteers helped deliver more than 2,500 materials to daycare programs and homebound patrons.

Holm also listed recent accessibility and fundraising highlights: installation of two chair lifts to the basement storm shelter (funded in part by an ALALTC Accessibility Library grant), $5,300 in donations for the summer reading program and more than 1,000 coupon prizes donated by area businesses for children and teens. The library is preparing donation solicitation letters for the 2025 summer-reading program.

Holm described the library as an important community space, quoting a young patron who said the library "makes me feel safe" and noting the library's role as a youth resource. She introduced board members who attended the meeting and answered brief questions from council members about services and programming plans for 2025.

The council received the report; no formal action was required.