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Paris library touts program-driven growth; reports rising visits and program attendance
Summary
Library Director Connie Lawman told council that library visits rose from 40,635 in 2021 to more than 51,000 in 2024 and described a portfolio of programs (story times, book clubs, 'library of things') that staff say drive engagement; council praised the library’s work.
Connie Lawman, director of the Paris Public Library, presented the library’s programming model and usage statistics to the City Council on Oct. 27, saying programs are central to increased visitation and public engagement.
Lawman described four program categories — ongoing, passive, pop‑up and swaps — and listed current offerings including multiple story times (one in Spanish), a book club, a junior graphic novel club, chess club, a therapy dog reading program, and pop‑up events with North Lamar culinary classes. She highlighted a "library of things" initiative allowing patrons to check out nontraditional items such as fishing poles and pickleball sets.
On numbers, Lawman said visits were 40,635 in 2021 and more than 51,000 in 2024; program attendance was 5,249 in 2024. She explained the library records visits with a paid gate counter and tracks program attendees via sign‑up sheets. In response to council questions she said the library participates in the TechShare program, which allows reciprocal borrowing for out‑of‑town patrons, and that not all program attendees must be account holders.
Councilmembers praised the library. "The programming and everything that you have implemented since you've been here has been fantastic," a councilmember said. No action was required.
