Williston Community Library reports jump in visits, new bookmobile due in September

The Williston Board of City Commissioners on June 24 accepted the Williston Community Library's 2024 annual report. Andrea Placher, the library director, highlighted circulation, visitation and outreach figures during the meeting at City Hall.

Placher said the library circulated 115,805 total items in the previous year, including 78,917 physical items and 36,888 digital checkouts through platforms such as Libby and Canopy. She reported 70,570 visitors last year and that the library is already about 20,000 visits ahead this year, projecting more than 100,000 visits by year-end. Placher noted 126,747 reference transactions, 12,777 computer sessions and roughly 10,000 registered users. She also said the library made 303 outreach stops with the bookmobile and book bike, circulating roughly 7,000 items during those visits, and that a brand-new bookmobile is expected to arrive in September.

Placher told commissioners the library's revenue was $1,091,602 and total expenditures were $842,377; the library raised $63,405 in donations and credited support from the Glen Perkins Educational Foundation and state grants. Commissioner Bekkedahl moved, and Commissioner Siemieniewski seconded, to accept the annual report; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.