STE. GENEVIEVE – Ste. Genevieve County Library recently finished its 2022 annual report that is submitted yearly to the state.
“2022 has been the best year the library has had since becoming its own entity in 2017,” Library Director Shawn Long stated. “I have been here nearly four years, and after digging through some of our old records I found our 2017 Annual Report. Comparing those numbers to our 2022 report, the difference is staggering.”
Long said the report shows a library that is rapidly growing in our community; physical checkouts increased 58 percent compared to 2017, library visitors are up 56 percent, electronic circulations increased 181 percent, and registered cardholders increased 64 percent.
“These numbers show a library that is alive and well in Ste. Genevieve County, with increased usage and patrons who are utilizing the resources we have to offer more than ever,” Shawn stated. “All told, if items that were checked out averaged a total of $25 per item, our community saved over $800,000 in 2022 alone.”
Other milestones include the highest number of visitors over the course of five years with 20,774, and a 27 percent increase in library card registrations with 507 new sign ups.
By far the biggest increase in usage is in electronic circulations with a 181 percent increase from 2017.
“Since adding Hoopla to our resources the community has embraced it and absolutely loves it,” Shawn said. “I run into a lot of people who cite Hoopla as the only way they get to read at all with their busy schedules.”
Board member Melissa Otto is excited for what the increases show.
“One of the biggest reasons I joined this board was to foster the love of reason into our community,” she says. “Since joining I have seen the work we are doing make an impact in our community and I absolutely love it.”
If you would like to see the full report, copies are available at the library as well as on their website for anyone to review.
If you have questions about this program or any other service, SGCLIB staff are ready to answer your questions.
Come by the library or contact them at contact@sgclib.org or 573-883-3358.