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Roseburg Public Library reports modest circulation gains, highlights youth programs and grants
Summary
Library staff told the council the Roseburg Public Library saw a 3% rise in total circulation (July 2023–June 2024), an 8% jump in digital circulation, outreach to schools and 1,800 new cards issued in 2023; staff cited $63,000 in grants and Friends contributions of about $18,000.
Chris, a library staff member, presented the Roseburg Public Library annual summary to the Roseburg City Council and said, "we had a 3% increase in our total circulation last year compared to 2023," covering the July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024 reporting year. He said digital circulation rose about 8%, and the addition of electronic magazines on the Libby app will likely keep digital use growing.
Chris said the library holds roughly "82,000 items" (he noted that number fluctuates in raw counts) and that staff added about 4,500 items last year, mostly purchased books. He explained collection spending is partly grant-driven and that digital licenses cost more than physical copies, which affects how far each dollar goes.
On users and access, Chris said the library issued about 1,800 library cards in 2023 and has about 6,800 registered users (that figure includes some expired cards). The library is open 34 hours per week and recorded about 1,700 open hours in 2023; Chris told council that visits increased about 18% in 2023 and that Tuesdays are the busiest days, sometimes approaching 400 people.
Chris highlighted youth and teen services led by youth services librarian Aurora Rupp, saying she develops the library's youth programming ("168 programs" reaching more than 5,000 people) and leads classroom tours and outreach. He also credited volunteers and the Friends of the Roseburg Public Library for heavy operational support: volunteers logged roughly 1,200 hours and Friends gave about $18,000 in 2023 to support reading programs and craft supplies.
On funding, Chris said the library received about $63,000 in grants during the fiscal year from multiple sources, and listed support from the Douglas County Library Foundation, the Ford Family Foundation, the Whipple Foundation and others. He noted the library manages grant reporting for some programs, including Imagination Library operations he said are overseen in partnership with the Friends organization; the Imagination Library had about 1,500 active participants and 1,200 graduates in the program's local roll.
Chris closed by listing upcoming exhibitions and programs (including an "Americans and the Holocaust" exhibit to run from Nov. 7–Dec. 19 in the Deer Creek Room) and invited questions from councilors.
Next steps: staff will continue to provide detailed packet materials and follow up on any questions councilors raised about daily visit numbers, program specifics and digital-material costs.
