Library director touts 2025 usage and $8.9M estimated community savings, promotes April 12 fundraiser

Christine, director of the Bethel Park public library, presented the library's 2025 year-in-review at the March 9 council meeting, highlighting heavy public use and the system's role in community services.

Christine told council the library recorded 102,000 visitors in 2025 — roughly three visits per resident — and 334,000 items checked out, equivalent to about 10 items borrowed per resident. She estimated those checkouts represent an $8.9 million cost savings to residents and stated an approximately 850% return on municipal investment. "So that means for every $1 the municipality invested in the library, the community received about $9.50 in value," she said.

The director also summarized programming and services: the library hosted 1,400 programs with about 24,000 attendees, answered just over 19,000 reference questions, and reported significant digital access with nearly 12,000 residents connecting to library Wi‑Fi. She said little under 9,500 residents used library computers and that roughly one in three Bethel Park residents holds an active library card.

Christine closed with a community announcement: the Friends of the Library will host designer bag bingo on Sunday, April 12 at the community center (doors 1:30 p.m., games at 2:00 p.m.). Tickets are $25, include three free cards per game, and are sold at the library, EV True Value, and online. She noted the event typically sells out.

Why it matters

Council members thanked Christine and noted the library delivers programs and services that the director framed as significant municipal value for residents. The statistics provide a data point for budget and service planning; the library's events also contribute to local fundraising and community engagement.

Next steps

No action was required. Residents seeking more information were directed to the library's website and Friends of the Library for event tickets.