The Library's 2014 fiscal year ended June 30, and the numbers show another busy year.
Many positive comments have been received about the completion of the Library's "facelift," a two-year project to make improvements throughout the building.
The new Koza Family Teen Center on the second floor has attracted many new teens to programming and other events just for them. If you or family members are in 7th through 12th grades, be sure to stop by during special after-school hours to check out whats happening.
The renovation project also saw improvements in the Ellen Buchanan Children's Room where child-oriented technology advancements - including our Library's first interactive touch table - were provided. We thank local software developers created innovative software for the table. Their work continues this year in an effort to keep the Library's young patrons learning while playing.
The improvements made possible by the remodeling project would not have been so significant without your generous charitable contributions. Thank you for your increased support of two fundraising events. Donations topped $17,000 for the second annual Library Links Golf Classic and the Arts & Crafts Bazaar.
The importance of summer reading programs is receiving new attention both nationally and locally. Our community responded with record participation by all ages - babies, children, teens, and adults. For the first time, we partnered with two other libraries that serve students in the Iowa City Community School District, Coralville and North Liberty, to track registrations by school. A grant from the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties helped us provide weekly programming at Iowa City Neighborhood Centers this summer.
The use of library collections remains strong. Although circulation of some traditional collections is down, electronic collections saw an 18 percent increase. Many people know what they want and appreciate the convenience of placing holds electronically anytime. The number of reserves placed is up 15 percent.
