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Library reports show growth in museum pass use, e-content and study room use
Summary
Carlsbad City Library reported a 40% year‑over‑year increase in distributed museum passes for February 2025, growth in e-content (notably video formats), and higher study-room utilization despite a small drop in program attendance tied to the Shulman Auditorium closure.
Principal Librarian Laura Mendez presented the library’s February 2025 narrative and statistics to the Carlsbad Library Board of Trustees on March 26.
Mendez said the library distributed 2,833 physical Museum Month passes and 1,740 digital passes downloaded by Carlsbad residents, for a total of 4,573 passes — a 40% increase over the prior year. She attributed the rise to marketing and the appeal of the regional Museum Month program, which offers discounted admissions at more than 70 museums through the San Diego Museum Council.
On facilities and usage metrics, Mendez reported visits were up slightly while physical material circulation did not increase, suggesting library spaces are being used more for on‑site activities than for borrowing. Study-room utilization was up 5.7 percentage points to 70% occupancy. E-content circulation increased 9.7% year over year; video formats led that growth with a 49.7% increase.
Mendez said programs offered and program attendance were down compared with the prior year, which she attributed in part to the temporary closure of the Shulman Auditorium; programs offered were down about 1% and attendance was down about 9%. Off‑site and virtual programming increased: the library offered four more off‑site/virtual programs in February 2025 than in February 2024, and off‑site/virtual attendance rose from 154 to 342. Sites for outreach included Pilgrim Children's Center, Kruger House Preschool and Saint Patrick's Catholic School.
Mendez concluded by noting staff conduct regular outreach — story times at preschools, Chamber of Commerce and school‑district meetings — and she remained available for trustees’ questions. No public speakers commented on the report.
