West Fargo Library reports record circulation, outlines Q2 strategic goals

The West Fargo Public Library reported strong usage and progress on strategic goals at the July 9 library board meeting, with physical circulation and door counts reaching multi‑year highs and summer programs drawing large attendance.

Library Director Jenna presented a quarter‑two strategic update that set a target of increasing library card signups 15% by 2028 (roughly 5% per year) and described near‑term tactics, including student library cards for K–12 West Fargo Public Schools and a community library‑card design contest running through July 31. Jenna said the library is "a little behind" the card goal for the first half of the year but expressed optimism about upcoming student card rollouts and outreach.

On usage metrics, Jenna reported that main‑library physical circulation was just under 17,000 items in June and door count topped 7,000 — the highest in six years — and that total circulation across locations set a record high for the month. She noted strong electronic circulation on Libby and said Udemy and the New York Times were among the e‑resources seeing steady or growing use. "We've surpassed last year's total unique users already for Udemy," Jenna said.

Jenna also listed operational changes and service expansions: the library removed a $1 replacement library‑card fee to smooth patron service; staff reorganized large‑print shelving and will add a combined easy‑reader/picture‑book nonfiction area to improve browsability; a read‑and‑return collection is planned for fall; and the library is analyzing potential Library of Things expansions (memory‑care kits, story‑time kits, hot spots and more). She added that the youth services team recently hired an additional librarian and reported more than 1,000 youth/family program attendees in June.

Budget and finance updates included that the library is roughly 40% expended year‑to‑date, the library received state aid of just over $44,000 since the prior meeting, and auction proceeds of a retired vehicle brought in a little more than $1,000. Jenna described ongoing work to reconcile city and library IT inventories and said staff are evaluating vehicle needs to reduce mileage costs associated with inter‑site transfers.

Jenna also reminded the board of upcoming events — Library on Wheels park stops through the summer and an end‑of‑summer celebration scheduled for Aug. 13 — and the board later agreed to reschedule its August meeting to Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. to minimize conflicts.

The board heard specifics on summer reading: Jenna reported 774 registrations so far, "100 more than last year's total," and highlighted that many programs (including a 4th of July event) have attracted large attendance. The director said staff will bring a draft of the library's final budget for board review in September after the city's preliminary budget process is clearer, with the city expected to finalize the levy and budget in October.

The library will continue to track metrics and report back to the board in subsequent meetings.