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Library director: Beaufort County residents borrowed 880,000 items last year as libraries expand services
Summary
Amanda Dickman, director of Beaufort County libraries, told council the system recorded 880,000 item checkouts, 373,000 visitors and 105,000 cardholders last year; staff described facility improvements, new locker pickup pilots and an expanded summer reading program.
Amanda Dickman, director of Beaufort County libraries, told the council the local library system remains heavily used and is evolving beyond book lending into a community hub. "Our cardholders borrowed 880,000 items," Dickman said, adding that 72% of those were physical items and 28% were digital downloads. She told the council the system logged about 373,000 visits and grew to just over 105,000 cardholders.
Dickman described library services and programs the county funds and operates, including two bookmobiles, teen advisory boards at St. Helena and Bluffton, read-to-therapy-animal events, and a summer reading program that had more than 2,000 participants last year. She highlighted a pilot locker system at Burton Wells for contactless pickup, noting the locker rollout was funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Committee members asked about planned renovations for the Hilton Head branch; Dickman said a full renovation is on the library's longer-range capital plan.
Dickman also outlined facility improvements under way, including carpet replacements and exterior sprucing to keep branches welcoming and accessible. She asked the council to continue investment in staffing and capital maintenance so the libraries can expand program attendance and community meeting-room availability. The presentation concluded with no formal action; the council thanked staff and asked staff to keep them updated on funding and project timing.
