Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Fargo library reports rising circulation, satellite site progress and donor support
Summary
Library director Jenna Kaley reported higher circulation and program participation in 2024, progress on a new satellite location and several private and organizational donations that funded outreach assets including a new mobile library vehicle.
Jenna Kaley, library director, told the West Fargo Public Library Board that circulation, program participation and several capital projects showed gains for 2024.
Kaley said expenditures through December were just over $137,000, leaving year‑to‑date spending at about 89 percent; she attributed most unspent funds to positions that remained open during the year. “Our expenditures through December were just over, $137,000, which left us year to date expended 89%,” Kaley said.
She reported steady progress on a satellite location: walls painted, carpet installed and remaining work limited to ceiling, networking and furniture installation. The Friends of the West Fargo Public Library committed $15,000 toward furnishings for the new satellite, Kaley said.
Kaley thanked donors who supported outreach work. First International Bank and Trust donated funds to purchase a new “library on wheels” vehicle to replace the small reading bus and enable year‑round outreach. A library patron identified as Sharon donated $5,000 to buy additional books. Kaley also acknowledged generous material donations referenced as Cher and Lad that contributed to an end‑of‑year shipment of materials.
Staffing and programs: the library hired a new part‑time circulation worker, Alyssa, and reported total circulation for 2024 rose about 11 percent from 2023. The library created about 4,000 new library cards in 2024, a roughly 3 percent increase from the prior year, and reported an average of 14,740 active card accounts during the year. Program participation rose 6.7 percent and the library now runs six book clubs. Kaley noted some room‑capacity limits remain a constraint on programming.
Kaley also detailed outreach stops for the mobile library, including visits to Rustad, Sandbox Restaurant and Bar, and Eastwood Elementary’s STEM students. She said the library plans pop‑up libraries at city hall ahead of the satellite opening and encouraged trustees to sign up for trustee webinars hosted by the State Library.
A board member expressed thanks to staff for their work; Kaley said she would convey the board’s appreciation to employees. The board did not take formal action on the director’s report items at the meeting.
