Robey Memorial Library notes continued increase in usage, including some all-time record numbers

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon has noted that usage of the facility and the services it offers has risen for the sixth consecutive fiscal year, reaching record-setting proportions in some cases. “We circulated over 48,000 materials last year, most of which were printed books, but also audiobooks, CDs and DVDs. We also circulated a couple hundred digital audio and e-books for the first time ever,” said Rick Meyer, library director.
Meyer noted that Robey Memorial Library circulated about 44,000 items the previous year, which was also up a couple thousand from the two previous fiscal years. He also noted the all-time high for circulated items was almost 50,000 items loaned in fiscal year 2005.
Meyer further noted that this past fiscal year saw an all-time high of more than 34,000 patrons come through the library door, again well over the previous record high of just over 30,000 patrons set in fiscal year 2008. Furthermore, the library recorded over 800 people attending library programs and over 9,500 computer or wireless users for the past fiscal year, both increasing slightly from last year's totals of 770 attending programs and just over 9,000 computer and wireless users.
The library records indicate that since the 2011-2012 school year began, wireless use is up 50% due to the school’s 1:1 Laptop Initiative. Myer also admits that his calculation of visits and usage may differ somewhat from previous directors, but notes that difference should not account for all of the increased usage noted by the library this past fiscal year.
"I believe this shows that, in spite of some national media reports, libraries are alive and well and an integral part of our communities. Robey Memorial Library is an outstanding example of this. The people of Waukon and rural Allamakee county have come to the library in record numbers and there is no end of demand for the services we provide,” Meyer added.