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Lafayette library reports rising circulation and programs; council proclaims National Library Week
Summary
Library staff and the Lafayette Library & Learning Center Foundation reported increases in circulation, summer-reading participation and outreach; the city council adopted a proclamation recognizing National Library Week and agreed to publicize related events.
Rob Tiggett, senior community library manager, and Carol Varney, executive director of the Lafayette Library & Learning Center Foundation, briefed the council on library activity and upcoming events and the council adopted a proclamation recognizing National Library Week.
During the March 24 meeting Tiggett reported a modest countywide increase in circulation (about 4%) and larger growth in e-book lending. He said Lafayette’s on-site counters showed roughly 204,000 annual visits using new counting technology and that Lafayette ranks high in per-capita e-book and e-audiobook circulation countywide. Tiggett also summarized outreach: summer programs, Rolling Reader mobile outreach serving children 0–5, and partnerships that produced thousands of meals and summer-reading participants.
Varney described the foundation’s funding mix (foundation, county, city, friends) and programming that supports library operations. She noted a potential risk from federal-level changes to Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) support and encouraged public backing for libraries nationally and locally.
Council action The council adopted the National Library Week proclamation for April (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded—“All in favor, Aye”). The council and staff discussed communications and events and asked staff to post the proclamation and publicize upcoming National Library Week programs.
Why it matters: The Lafayette Library and Learning Center is a major community resource for early literacy, digital access and cultural programming. The foundation and “friends” group provide material and program support; the council’s proclamation is a recognition and a prompt to promote National Library Week activities.
Ending Council members praised library staff and volunteers and asked staff and the foundation to work together on outreach for National Library Week and on efforts to restore or expand Sunday hours if county pilots support it.
