Shklo Library reports record checkouts, expands digital and on-site services

Patricia Best, presenting the Shklo Library report, said Ferguson Township residents checked out 93,926 physical items between January and August 2025 — about 29.85% of Center Region COG circulation — and that remote book-drop returns totaled roughly 22,716 across three locations.

Best highlighted a new public-computing and printing system she called "Cassie," which enables prepaid, self-serve printing and mobile-device printing at the library. The library also added Overdrive Magazines via the Libby portal, making thousands of magazine titles available without holds or waits, Best said.

She described an on-site improvement funded by a donor: an upgraded reader's garden with a patio, winding path, new fencing, abundant plantings and an accessibility ramp. Best also noted the "SCLO to Schools" initiative that delivers library materials to school buildings and helps provide library cards to district students.

Best reported summer-reading participation gains: 1,602 children (ages roughly 3–12), 349 teens and 531 adults. She also said 106 babies and toddlers achieved reading goals alongside caregivers.

Board members thanked library staff for the usage numbers and programming. Supervisor Heller linked the high summer-day attendance (about 1,200 on opening day, Best confirmed) to the region’s free summer bus pass program, noting the number highlighted how many families used library services in person.

The report closed with Best’s anecdote about an author who credited receiving a library card as a formative childhood moment; Best said the story underscored the community value of library access.

The board did not take action on the library report; members expressed appreciation and asked staff to keep them informed about related budget implications.