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Date: January 21, 2009

To: RCPL Board of Trustees

From: G. Chapman, Director

Re: 2008 statistical overview

Date: January 19, 2009

To: Greta Chapman, Director and Jason Walker, Supervisor

From: Terri Davis, Assistant Director

Re: 4^th Quarter 2008 and annual 2008 statistical overview

The review of library use statistics for 2008 shows overall use increase. This may be due in part to the increased use of libraries nationwide during times of economic stress.

A summary of the 4^th quarter 2008 statistics shows that most indicators are up:

· 11% increase in entry count

· 13% increase in electronic resources use

· 16% increase in circulation

· 36% increase in directional contacts

· Increase in both number of programs offered and program attendance

Negative indicators for the 4^th quarter include:

· -10% in new borrowers

· Materials added and withdrawn are both down

o This reflects both the 10-month ordering cycle (few materials arriving in November and December) and the reassignment of staff to public services desks during vacancies

An annual 2007-2008 statistical comparison indicates that:

· 8% increase in new borrowers

o Attributable to 17% and 18% increases in PC adult and PC youth borrowers, respectively

· 6% increase in circulation

· 23% increase in electronic access

· 28% increase in programming

o Programs added for RCPL-N, and increased attendance

· 11% decrease in materials added, decrease also in materials withdrawn

o Due to above-mentioned ordering cycle and temporary reassignment of staff due to vacancies

o Plan is in place with schedules for both adding and withdrawing materials in 2009

· Decrease in meeting room revenue

o Data review indicates that 2008 use was on par with 2006 and earlier years; 2007 was an anomaly with a higher use by for-profit groups

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER