Use of Public Libraries in Washington County Continues to Soar

For immediate RELEASE
Date: July 14, 2011
Contact: Jodi Nielsen, Senior Program Educator 
Washington County Cooperative Library Services 
www.wccls.org
503-846-3235

Use of Public Libraries in Washington County Continues to Soar

Over 12.7 million items checked out 

Washington County, Oregon: With the close of the fiscal year on June 30 the Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) reports a record setting 12.7 million items checked out from WCCLS member libraries. Check outs are up 14.1% from the 11.1 million record set just the previous fiscal year. 

Two of the smallest WCCLS member libraries, Banks Public Library and North Plains Public Library, both saw over 30% increases in items checked-out. With the opening of the Beaverton City Library at Murray Scholls branch in late June 2010, the Beaverton libraries (Main & Murray Scholls) experienced a nearly 25% increase as well, exceeding 3 million checkouts (another record). 

For the first time in the Cooperative’s 35 year history there were four member libraries that exceeded the 1 million mark (Beaverton, Cedar Mill,Hillsboro and Tigard). In addition, our Library2Go service (downloadable audio, video and e-books) more than doubled in use. WCCLS Director, Eva Calcagno, remarked, “I expect the trend in downloadable use to continue as the service will be compatible with the popular Kindle readers later this year.”

The top five locations based on total items checked-out in FY 2010-2011:

1. Beaverton City Libraries (Main & Murray Scholls)                    3.37 million
2. Hillsboro Public Libraries (Main & ShutePark)                         2.78 million
3. Cedar Mill Community Library & Bethany Library                      2.51 million
4. Tigard Public Library                                                            1.51 million
5. Tualatin Public Library                                                          751,126

Washington County is a well-read community. Over fifty percent of the 532,620 population are WCCLS library card holders. Over 40,000 new patrons registered for library cards last year. And with over 1.6 million items to choose from, the many active patrons seem to find what they want and need. 

Calcagno attributes the increase in visits and checkouts to county voters’ passage of the November 2010 library operating services levy which enabled funding to be maintained. The continuation of this stable funding source allows libraries to maintain open hours while also continuing to focus resources on sustaining quality service and increasing efficiencies in collection development and services. One such efficiency, begun two years ago, enables WCCLS to lease or purchase additional copies of in-demand titles to reduce the hold queues on popular adult fiction, non-fiction, and books on CD. This process means that patrons wait less to receive popular items than before – thus increasing the number of times a popular item may be checked out. The program helps libraries meet community demand. The Cooperative has also focused energy towards marketing and promoting services, collections and resources to meet the growing needs of the community. “With just over 14% increase in checkouts this year, the voter supported systems and services we have been able to put into place seem to be popular with our many patrons,” exclaimed Calcagno.