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West Fargo Public Library reports rising use, circulation and outreach in 2024
Summary
Library staff told the commission circulation and program attendance increased in 2024, outreach expanded with a new mobile vehicle, and the library saved residents an estimated $3.5 million by lending materials.
The West Fargo Public Library reported steep increases in both circulation and program attendance in 2024 during an annual presentation to the City Commission.
Library director Jenna Kaley told the commission the library circulated 36,000 more items in 2024 than in 2023 and that physical items remain the most‑checked category. Staff estimated library users saved more than $3.5 million in 2024 by borrowing materials rather than purchasing them, which the presentation translated to $87 per West Fargo resident and $193 per active library card.
Program attendance also rose: youth services recorded nearly 9,000 attendees across children’s programs, and adult programs drew more than 2,400 participants. Storytimes remain the library’s most popular youth offering; Kaley said toddler storytimes sometimes reach 65–75 attendees and noted the library has added sessions and space as demand grows.
The presentation described expanded outreach: the library retired the Little Red Reading Bus after securing funding (with assistance from local partners) to purchase a year‑round “Library on Wheels” vehicle for outreach to parks, daycares and senior living facilities. In 2024 the library delivered 2,565 books to senior homes and day‑care centers and visited five parks weekly during the summer, recording more than 1,600 visits at those stops.
Kaley also said the library received notice of a large federal grant award under the Digital Equity Act — roughly $1.3 million to expand technology tutoring and hire digital navigators — but that the federal program has been paused and hiring is on hold pending federal action.
Why it matters: The figures show rising demand for library services in a growing city and identify both ongoing program needs (additional toddler storytimes, outreach capacity) and potential service expansion if federal grant funding is restored.
What’s next: Library staff will continue to expand programming and outreach; if the federal pause on Digital Equity Act funding ends, the library expects to hire digital navigators to scale technology tutoring.
