Huntley Library Has Record-Breaking Year

is one happening place.

The number of people visiting the library reached 28,110 in October alone, which works out to an average of 900 people a day, Library Director Patrick McDonald said.

Checkouts are up 10.5 percent this year while eBook downloads increased by 134 percent, officials said.

The figures helped the library see a record-breaking year, McDonald said.

“It can be crowded. I know sometimes in the evening we have people studying and it can get busy,” he said.

McDonald thinks there are several reasons why the library is seeing such high numbers.

“I think it’s part of the pattern most public libraries see when times are tough, an increase in traffic and people discovering the value of what the library has to offer,” he said.

Another reason for the increase is the kind of material and programs Huntley library is offering.

“I think we are seeing more people come in with their eReaders and they want to connect with the free eBooks we can provide,” McDonald said. The library offers a course on how to use an eReader and has increased the number of eBooks it offers, he said.

New items, like Wii and Xbox 360 games, are drawing more people to the library too, he said. The library began offering a new collection of games this year after people began requesting more games to checkout, he said. The Friends of the Library provided a donation to purchase the games, he said.

“More and more people are realizing the value of their library card, and how much money it can save them throughout the year,” Leigh Ann Porsch, Communications Development Coordinator said.

The library loaned more than 638,000 items to residents so far this year. Another significant number: 63 percent of people in the district have library cards, officials said.

Huntley library has also had a record number of volunteer hours logged.

Volunteers contributed more than 5,600 hours, which saved taxpayers an estimated $50,000, McDonald said.

What has helped contribute to the increase in usage and cardholders is the way the library markets itself and the program it is holding, officials said. More than 27,000 people attended the library’s educational and cultural programs.

“Everything has increased across the board,” said Doug Cataldo, Marketing & Technology Specialist. “I think it’s due to several things, more people being curious about technology and eBooks to marketing on our end to the economy. There are a whole variety of things.”

Additionally, Huntley library added new materials and new programs this year including:

•         HelpNow!, an online tutoring and job assistance service

•         Collections of Wii, Playstation3 and Xbox360 games

•         The Tumblebook eBook collection for children

•         Nook and Sony eReaders available for checkout

“If you haven’t visited the library lately, come see what you’re missing,” McDonald said.  “We have something for everyone.”