Library reports rising use in FY24; council asks for trend data and resident breakdown

Marshall Webster, Acting Library Director, presented the library’s FY24 annual report on Sept. 9, highlighting a year of increased engagement and new services. Webster reported about 450,000 borrowed items (a 4% increase from FY23), 168,000 visits (up 17%), 2,300 study and conference room reservations (up 7%), 7,900 public computer sessions (up 28%) and about 12,400 program attendees. FY24 also launched the library’s five‑year strategic plan and expanded weekend hours.

Council members praised programming and asked for trend data across multiple years to better understand the impact of investments such as expanded hours. Webster said staff can produce longitudinal charts and reported that the library’s cardholder database indicates roughly 11,000 city resident cardholders, with a substantial nonresident user base attributed to a reciprocal borrowing agreement across the region. Members also asked about volunteer opportunities and digital‑collection purchasing models; Webster explained e‑book purchasing options and noted a standard three‑week loan period for physical items.

Webster and Library Board Chair Elise Stein thanked the council for support and noted a gold standard recognition by the Virginia Public Library Directors Association. Council members encouraged staff to include longitudinal visualizations in future annual reports to show trends and the effects of investments.

Next steps: library staff will provide trending visuals and, where available, a residency breakdown for cardholders to aid future planning and annual reporting.