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Rockwall County Library reports 166,000 visitors and warns state will require extra open hours
Summary
The Rockwall County Library reported more than 166,000 patron visits and said it will need to add five open hours per week after being placed on probation by the Texas State Library because the county-assigned population exceeded 100,000.
Marcene, the Rockwall County Library director, presented the library's fiscal year 2024 annual report at the April 22 commissioners meeting, highlighting heavy circulation and patronage and noting that the library has been placed on probation by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission because the county-assigned population exceeded 100,000 while the library remains open 49 hours per week.
Key figures Marcene presented to the court included: - Gate count (patron visits): more than 166,000 - Physical circulations: over 264,500 items - E-books and e-audio circulations: nearly 53,000 - New library cards issued: more than 3,400 - Public computer uses: 6,477; children's computers: over 5,000 - In-house children's program attendance: nearly 32,000 - Adult literacy: roughly 1,900 student sessions and more than 22,000 student hours supported by volunteers and a half-time county position - Volunteer hours: more than 9,000 - County support: roughly $1.3 million from the county and $38,000 in gifts and grants/fines
Why it matters: The library's usage and programming are substantial, and the state probation means the county will need to increase open hours. Marcene told commissioners the library will need five additional open hours per week to come into compliance; she said the county budget process will include that request.
Commissioners praised library services as a community hub, polling location and major source of programming and digital materials. Commissioner Lichty recommended the court budget for any additional hours the state requires.
Ending Marcene said the library also participates in consortia that expand electronic collections (roughly 354,000 e-items available through sharing agreements) and that staff will provide formal budget requests for additional operating hours during the county's upcoming budget cycle.
