Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waupaca library reports rebound in visits, sharp rise in volunteer hours
Summary
Library leaders told the Waupaca Common Council that 2025 visits topped 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, circulation fell slightly while electronic usage rose, and volunteer hours jumped from 163 in 2023 to 1,666 in 2025.
Waupaca Area Public Library officials told the Common Council on April 8 that the library’s annual metrics show recovery from the pandemic and expanded community support. Library Director Eric Bailey and Library Board President Melanie Peterson presented the 2025 report during the council’s regular meeting.
Bailey said physical circulation declined 2.47% while electronic-material usage increased 4.76%, leaving total circulation down about 1% compared with the prior year; he attributed most of the decline since 2019 to reduced AV (DVD) checkouts. Bailey said annual visits exceeded 100,000 in 2025, the highest level since before the pandemic. “Our annual visits cleared 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic,” he told the council.
Peterson and Bailey described several service trends and operational changes: the library’s physical collection has remained constrained by space while the digital collection available through Libby continues to grow; the library recently implemented Polaris as its integrated library system; and point-of-sale and an online merchandise store were added to accept card payments and raise revenue. The presenters also highlighted programming — from adult game nights to school partnerships and author events — as key drivers of public engagement.
Volunteering at the library increased markedly, Bailey said: the record shows 163 volunteer hours in 2023 versus 1,666 in 2025. Bailey credited Jan Pppel, identified in the presentation as head of adult services, for much of the volunteer-program growth and described volunteers as essential to services such as home delivery and the little free pantry.
On operations, Bailey said revenues and expenses remained broadly consistent year to year, with most funding still coming from the county and the city. He warned that inflation continues to be a challenge but noted some revenue gains from services. The presenters said the library is engaged in long-range strategic planning and has received memorial donations designated to support collection development and programming.
Council members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the presentation. The report, as presented, provided the council with usage statistics, recent technology and programming changes, and staffing and volunteer developments that leaders said will shape the library’s planning next year.
