Library director reports rising visits, digital use and new programs in North Las Vegas

Library Director Forest Lewis delivered a progress report showing increased patron activity, new services and staffing expansions across the North Las Vegas Library District.

"You'll see in that year period, our library visits went up 9%," Lewis told trustees, citing a year‑to‑year comparison between fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024. He said the district recorded close to 265,000 visits in the most recent year and is continuing to climb.

Digital and program trends: Lewis said physical circulation fell slightly while digital circulation rose sharply: "our E Media downloads ... rose by almost 17%." He reported library card registrations increased by more than 20%, and in‑library computer usage rose by nearly 35%, which he framed as patrons returning to campus and using public access services.

Staffing and hours: Lewis outlined staffing increases that enabled expanded hours: the Alexander and Aliante branches are open six days a week and the district is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. He said the district added six full‑time staff in fiscal 2023, two full‑time in fiscal 2024, and in the current fiscal year added two full‑time and four part‑time library assistant positions.

New spaces and initiatives: Lewis highlighted study pods (sound‑attenuated single‑user workspaces) installed at Alexander and Aliante with LSTA funding; he said the pods are in high demand for private study and virtual meetings. He also described two hubs launched recently: a youth hub at Alexander focused on workforce and career counseling for disaffected youth, and a business hub at Aliante — run with Workforce Connections — to help prospective employees connect with local employers and to support small‑business startup and growth.

Cultural programming and outreach: Lewis said the district is increasing cultural programming and invited trustees to upcoming events, including a Black History Month slate and a Tuskegee Airmen display at the Aliante Library; he credited the district’s development manager and city staff for organizing the outreach and invited trustees to participate in events and promotion.

Training and operations: Lewis said staff training and refreshers remain a priority; he described an annual staff in‑service day on April 3 and asked trustees to consider attending. He also outlined plans to add in‑house computer‑use cards so patrons unable to obtain full library cards (for example, due to fines) can still access computers.

Public comment: Assemblyman Ruben de Silva praised the libraries’ role in public education and urged continued engagement as the legislative session begins.

Ending: Lewis asked trustees to continue promoting library services as the city grows and said staff would return with follow‑up reports on programs, staffing and outcomes.