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St. Charles library director reports 2025 usage and says Hanville branch estimate is under budget
Summary
Library Director Leanne Benedict reported 2025 system usage and progress on the new Hanville branch: a 90% construction estimate came in at about $9.1 million — under the $9.2 million budget — with a 100% estimate expected in May and a hoped‑for mid‑2027 opening.
Leanne Benedict, director of the St. Charles Parish Library, presented the library system's 2025 annual report to the St. Charles Parish Council on April 6, highlighting steady patron engagement and the near‑final design for a new Hanville branch.
Benedict said the library system serves six branches and had roughly 41,624 registered borrowers and 239,220 items circulated in 2025. Patron visits rose to about 136,813, and the library held nearly 1,400 on‑site programs with over 19,000 attendees. Benedict noted increased use of downloadable audio/visual materials and outreach via a bookmobile that circulated over 47,000 items to about 3,000 patrons in 2025.
On the Hanville branch, Benedict said the project reached a 90% estimate that came in just over $9.1 million, under the approved $9.2 million budget, and that a 100% estimate would be available in early May for board review on May 19. If the board accepts the final estimate and the guaranteed maximum price is set within the budget, the project would move into construction with an anticipated opening in mid‑2027. Benedict told council members the branch design includes a large meeting room (seating for roughly 50), a Louisiana room for archives, study rooms, public computers, children's and teen spaces and a maker space.
Council members thanked Benedict and staff for the report and asked about likely branch hours and new services such as state park passes and "go backpacks"; Benedict said hours are still under review but the branch will include evening and Saturday hours and that certain programs (like state park passes) will initially be available at the East Regional Library.
Benedict also announced new check‑out cleanup kits (24 total) for community cleanup efforts and said the planetarium and maker space continue to draw patrons. The council offered its support as the project moves toward its 100% construction estimate and eventual bid advertisement.
