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Carlsbad Library reports July gains in visits and digital lending, pilots small-business help
Summary
Library staff told trustees that five of six core metrics rose year over year in July 2025, electronic circulation exceeded 30,000 for the month and the library launched a three‑month pilot offering one‑on‑one small‑business office hours with the city's small business liaison.
At the Carlsbad City Library Board of Trustees meeting on Aug. 27, 2025, library staff reported that five of six core performance metrics improved year over year for July and announced a three‑month pilot to provide one‑on‑one support for local small businesses.
The report, presented by Principal Librarian Laura Sanger and Principal Librarian Andrea Hilliard, said July’s electronic materials circulation surpassed 30,000 for the first time and that overall year‑to‑date comparisons through July show sustained growth in electronic materials, program offerings and visits. Physical circulation was the lone exception, averaging about a 5% decline in the first seven months of 2025 compared with 2024.
"This level of consistent progress over the last seven months reflects the effectiveness of our strategy to build library collections and design library programs," Andrea Hilliard said.
Laura Sanger described a July 17 event, "Connecting with Contracts," held at the Dove Lane branch that drew about 80 attendees seeking information on government contracting. "Attendees shared that the event was a, quote, 'game changer' for them," Sanger said. The program was produced in partnership with MiraCosta College and the Small Business Development Center of San Diego and Imperial Valley, and Sanger said those partners also helped market the event.
As part of efforts to expand business support, the library has begun a three‑month pilot offering regular in‑person office hours for small businesses at the Cole and Dove libraries, staffed by the city's small business liaison. Sanger said the pilot provides "direct personalized support" and staff will report back after the pilot concludes.
Trustee questions during the meeting focused on the causes of the national decline in physical circulation and outreach for business programs. Hilliard said the drop in physical checkouts began during the COVID period as libraries added digital collections and that some libraries have seen declines as large as 30%; she noted Carlsbad's 5% decline as smaller than many national examples.
The board received the monthly reports; staff said a fuller presentation on the summer reading program will be provided at next month's meeting.
