Library Usage Up as Samuels Public Library Continues to Serve the Community

Samuels Public Library has seen significant growth and community engagement in the first six months of fiscal year 2025, according to a recent report presented by Library Director Erin Rooney. The review, covering July through December 2024, highlights increases in library visitors, checkouts, programming attendance, and volunteer contributions, demonstrating the library’s continued role as a vital community hub.

“We bring people, information, and ideas together to enrich lives and build community,” Rooney said, emphasizing the library’s ongoing commitment to serving Warren County residents.

Growth in Services and Resources

The library reported a 3% increase in visitors compared to the same period in 2023, with more people coming through the doors to access books, DVDs, Wi-Fi hotspots, and other resources. Checkouts saw a 4% increase, reflecting the community’s continued reliance on library materials.

Database usage surged 28%, with patrons taking advantage of online resources, including VetNow, which provides veterans with remote assistance, Transparent Language for learning new languages, and genealogy tools like Newspapers.com and Ancestry.com.

The library’s free notary service, one of the few in the area, remains highly sought after, experiencing a 47% increase in usage. “We’ve had to add more notaries to staff just to keep up with demand,” Rooney noted.

Additionally, volunteer hours rose by 26%, further enabling the library to expand its programming and services. Meeting room reservations increased by 4%, and reference inquiries—requests for help finding books or navigating resources—rose by 7%.

The library continues to provide free COVID-19 test kits, which saw a 50% increase in distribution, reflecting continued public need.

Community Engagement and Outreach

Samuels Public Library remained active in the community, participating in several outreach events. Staff engaged with nearly 400 attendees at National Night Out, an annual event promoting police-community partnerships. They also participated in local school events such as the Ressie Jeffries Fall Festival and Warren County High School Fun Day.

The library continues to serve as a designated cooling and heating center for Warren County, offering a safe space for residents during extreme weather conditions. “People know they can come here to warm up in the winter or cool off in the summer,” Rooney explained.

New and Improved Library Spaces

Thanks to grant funding and donations, the library completed several facility upgrades. The staff break room was renovated with new flooring, furniture, and a fresh coat of paint. The adult reading area received new carpeting, replacing flooring that had been in place since the library moved to its current location.

Technology upgrades also played a key role in improving services. Outdated desktop computers in the library’s studio were replaced with new laptops funded by the Mellon Grant. The library ensured that old equipment was either repurposed or sold through the Epilogue Bookstore, with proceeds supporting library programs.

Popular Programs and Events

The library has hosted various events over the past six months, drawing in hundreds of attendees. The Summer Reading Program saw 198 adult participants and 689 youth readers, who read over 22,000 books and logged more than 352,719 minutes of reading time.

One of the standout events was Sanicon, the library’s annual comic and fantasy convention. This year’s theme, “Libraries Open a World of Magic,” brought in over 1,400 visitors. Highlights included guest speakers like graphic novelist John Gallagher, KC Johnson, an Emmy-nominated animator, Drew Johnson, and Ben Hatke. Activities ranged from escape rooms to a live-action role-playing (LARP) demonstrations.

The library also introduced a Teens Connect Clothing Swap, allowing students to exchange clothes before the school year began, and partnered with MARC to host a multi-sensory theater program for the special needs community.

Other popular events included a Harry Potter-themed ghost-hunting program, a genealogy lecture by historian Dr. Noah Alice, and a recycling-themed Story Walk at Eastham Park, sponsored by the Anti-Litter Council.

The holiday season was especially festive, with the Annual Holiday Reading Contest drawing 250 entries and 300 attendees for its reception. The Holiday Open House featured performances by the Blue Ridge Singers, family photo opportunities, and crafts for adults and children.

The Studio: A New Hub for Creativity

The library’s new maker-space and memory lab, The Studio 330, officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in October. Since then, over 60 one-on-one training sessions have taught patrons how to use cutting-edge equipment like 3D printers, embroidery machines, and digitization tools for old film and photos.

One particularly moving moment came when a Vietnam veteran used the memory lab to digitize 8mm film from his service, allowing him to see footage he hadn’t viewed in decades. Another patron digitized footage of their mother at a post-World War II children’s camp in Europe, preserving a piece of family history.

The library also hosted a Library of Congress training session on recording veterans’ oral histories, further expanding its historical preservation efforts.

Financial Overview

Michelle Leasure, the library’s financial officer, presented an update on funding and expenditures. As of mid-year, the library has received $717,455 in income, including:

• $512,000 from Warren County (half of the total annual funding agreement).
• $124,283 in state aid.
• $81,173 from Samuels Library fundraising.

Leasure emphasized that 92% of county funding goes directly to staff salaries and benefits, ensuring the library maintains a high level of service. Additional funding supports operational costs like utilities, technology, and programming.

Looking ahead, the library plans to continue expanding its services, increasing outreach, and enhancing community engagement. Rooney expressed gratitude for the public’s ongoing support, saying, “We’re thrilled to see so many people using the library. The growth we’ve experienced shows how much this community values access to knowledge and resources.”

For more information on upcoming programs and services, visit www.samuelslibrary.net.