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West Custer County Library reports rising usage, expands digital and community services
Summary
Library staff told the county commission that visitor counts, public computer use and program attendance rose in 2024; the library plans new e‑resources, an instrument‑lending program, telehealth facilitation and reintroduced legal clinics.
Representatives of the West Custer County Library District presented their 2024 annual summary to the Board of County Commissioners on March 13, reporting steady increases in visitor numbers, public‑computer sessions and program attendance.
The library said it has expanded its non‑book collection (camping equipment, museum passes and a Royal Gorge Bridge & Park annual pass purchased with proceeds from a Pie Day fundraiser), increased digital resources and expects to launch a new e‑resource collection within weeks. The district also highlighted an instrument‑lending program launching next week (ukuleles, guitars, banjos, mandolins and later fiddle/bass) with volunteer instructors; a telehealth facilitation partnership with Rotary van service to bring residents to the library for virtual health appointments; and the relaunch of monthly pre‑legal clinics offering four 20‑minute free legal consultations per month.
Library staff noted the district is a taxing district with modest revenues and said many services are free to cardholders. The presentation included local history transcription work, a children’s book mailing program for ages 0–5 (Imagination Library), and outreach metrics: thousands of website visits, about 1,200 Facebook followers and 2,000 newsletter subscribers.
Commissioners and meeting attendees praised the library’s programs and fundraising; staff emphasized the library’s role in internet access (mobile Wi‑Fi hotspots) and printing/fax services for residents in a county with limited alternatives.
Ending
The library thanked the county for operational support and invited residents to Pie Day and other upcoming events. Commissioners said they value the countywide services the district provides.
