Massanutten Regional Library reports record circulation and program growth, flags e‑book cost pressures
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Summary
The system reported double‑digit increases in visits and circulation year‑over‑year, expanded hours and services, and highlighted rising costs for e‑books and e‑audiobooks; the library announced a Big Read community program beginning Feb. 28.
Zach, representing the Massanutten Regional Library, briefed council Feb. 25 on a year of increased use at the Central Library in Harrisonburg and throughout the regional system.
Key statistics reported: a 12% increase in visits to the Harrisonburg library, an 18.4% increase in circulation (described as the largest increase in MRL history), more than 10,000 public computer sessions and a 25% increase in summer reading challenge participation. Zach said the library’s services saved patrons an estimated $15,200,000 by providing free access to materials and resources across seven branches.
The system has added operating hours (opening at 9 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Harrisonburg branch), hired a full‑time young adult specialist to expand teen programming and rolled out an expanded meeting‑room reservation system. New collections include a community gear library (camping equipment checkouts), “welcoming library” titles for immigrant and refugee families and financial‑literacy resources for children.
Challenges: staff flagged rising costs for e‑books and e‑audiobooks, explaining that libraries often lease digital titles under short‑term licensing arrangements that cost more than physical copies. The Central Library also identified space needs (study pods, teen space and digitization/media lab concepts) based on a recent space audit.
Zach invited council to community events, including the Big Read 2025 kickoff (Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi) and related art projects funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
