ABOUT THE LIBRARY
IMCPL Sees Increased Usage in 2008
More Visitors Flocking to the New Central Library
July 25, 2008
Coming off a record year in 2007, the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library continues to show increases in the number of patrons visiting the Library and the number of materials they check out.
For the first half of 2008, over 2.8 million patrons visited IMCPL's 22 branch locations and the new Central Library downtown, a 7 percent increase over the same period in 2007.
Nearly 7.8 million items were circulated, a 9.3 percent increase over 2007.
The Library set an all-time circulation record in 2007 with nearly 14.1 million items checked out. Patron visits dropped only slightly to 5.3 million, due mainly to the three-month closure of the Interim Central Library prior to the December opening of the new Central Library and a reduction of hours of service at the Glendale Branch.
As expected, Central Library has become a major downtown destination with over 468-thousand visitors in the first six months of 2008, a 48 percent increase over the same period in 2002 (315,910 patron visits), the final year of Central operations before it closed in the fall for construction.
In the first half of 2007, over 199-thousand patrons visited the Interim Central Library, which served as the temporary downtown library location during Central construction.
Although Central Library led the surge in circulation, with more than a 77 percent increase, branch activity was also brisk over a year ago. Circulation increases were found at the West Indianapolis Branch (18.3%), the Haughville Branch (14.3%), the InfoZone at The Children's Museum (8.9%), the Fountain Square Branch (8.1%), the East Washington Branch (7.4%), the Flanner House Branch (7.2%), the Spades Park Branch (6.3%), and the College Avenue Branch (3.3%). Increases were also seen at the Lawrence Branch (1.6%), the Irvington Branch (1.1%), and the Brightwood Branch (0.1%).
"These statistics demonstrate that the Library is a popular and valuable resource in all of Marion County," said Laura Bramble, IMCPL CEO. "The Library is a vibrant community center where lifelong learning needs are being met."
Books continue to be the format of choice among patrons, representing over 70 percent of all items checked out in the most recent report. These were followed by DVDs, music, VHS and audiobooks.
For the remainder of 2008, IMCPL will focus on finalizing a new strategic plan that will guide future Library activity in the areas of programming and financing.
