St. Charles Public Library Annual Report Summary*

• Circulation: Up 9.4% to almost one and one-half million (1,491,873)
• DVD circulation: Up 27%
• Number of visits per capita: Up 6.2% (to 10.25)
• Number of holds placed: Up 42%
• Number of patrons receiving services at home: Up 18.62%
• Use of various online databases: Up between 24% and 329%
• Web site hits: Up 605%
• Use of “Live Homework Help”: Up 115%Our total holdings increased 2.7%, to 358,736.
• AV collection increased 9.7%, from 59,574 items to 65,346
• Library District population with current library cards: 55.8%
• Email overdue notices sent: Up 26.6%
• Email pre-notification of overdues: Up 25.7%
• Reserve notices emailed: Up 36%
• Paper overdue notices mailed: Down 26%
• Paper reserve notices mailed: Down 18%

*July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009

Highlights:

• For the 4th year, the HAPLR ranking places the St. Charles Public Library in the top ten U.S. public libraries in its population category.
• Norm Huntley honored on his 40th anniversary on the Library Board by naming the public meeting room the Norman C. Huntley Meeting Room.
• New Reader’s Services desk donated by the Friends of the Library.
• Preschool play center and a display unit purchased with grant from The Kara Foundation.
• New patron-accessible holds area created.
• Bruce Niemi sculpture, “Held,” donated by the St. Charles Public Library Foundation in memory of Robert J. Hansen.