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Director: Dwight Foster Public Library logged 160,000 checkouts and $3 million patron savings in 2025
Summary
At the Feb. 3 Fort Atkinson City Council meeting, Director Lippert presented the librarys 2025 numerical review, reporting more than 160,000 physical checkouts, 42,000 digital checkouts, nearly 900 new cards and roughly 8,000 program attendees; council thanked staff and asked follow-up questions.
Director Lippert presented a numerical review of the Dwight Foster Public Librarys 2025 activity to the Fort Atkinson City Council on Feb. 3. "In 2025, we checked out more than 160,000 items," Lippert told the council, and said the librarys services saved community members more than $3,000,000 compared with buying equivalent materials.
Why it matters: The numbers illustrate the librarys continuing role as a free resource for residents, offering materials, programs and access that the presentation said reduced household costs and supported community engagement.
Key details: Lippert reported 42,000 digital checkouts in 2025 and said digital audiobooks now outpace ebooks in circulation. The library offered 392 programs attended by more than 8,000 people; the Milwaukee Zoo explore pass led explore-pass checkouts (131), and a circulating puzzle collection—launched in August 2025—registered more than 449 checkouts. Lippert said the library created more than 900 new cards in 2025 and that the librarys partnership with the School District of Fort Atkinson generated roughly 200 student cards via an opt-in registration process.
Council reaction and follow-up: Council members praised the presentation and asked questions about recurring programs such as childrens events and the logistics of Libby, the librarys digital content platform. Lippert said staff would continue to refine programming and help residents with app setup and account issues.
What happens next: The presentation required no council vote and concluded with council thanks to library staff.
