Apache Junction library reports rising visits, new outreach services and a planned reading garden

Pam Harrison, library director for Apache Junction, told the Library Board on Jan. 9 that patron visits were up in December even though physical circulation slipped, and she outlined new and expanding services including home delivery, mobile-library outreach and a proposed fenced reading garden.

Harrison said the library’s outreach efforts reached hundreds at two recent events: about 562 people visited the mobile library at the grand opening of Pinette Sky Park in November and roughly 200 people visited the bookmobile at the Radiance Community Clubhouse opening in December. “We are really pleased to be able to offer that,” Harrison said of the home-delivery and mobile services.

The director said circulation of physical items fell in September but that overall visits and in-house computer use increased in the fall. “Patron visits also rose in the fall, but circulation went down,” Harrison said, calling for a fall push on displays and digital-service promotion to turn visits into checkouts.

Outreach and home delivery: Harrison said outreach services now offer home delivery for signed-up patrons on the third Thursday of each month and that outreach staff can coordinate specific title requests. Megan Carabiner was named in the report as the staff member who handles neighborhood…