TRURO, N.S.
Lesley Brann knew a lot of people were using the library, but she was still surprised when she saw the numbers.
Since opening in the new building, in Oct. 2016, there have been 4,069 new members sign up.
“It’s exceeded my expectations,” said Brann, who is the administrator of adult and outreach services.
“We averaged 55 people an hour coming in during the summer months, and that was up 12.47 per cent from the same period last year.
“Our busiest month since opening was March 2018, when we had 13,517 visitors.”
Electronic counters register the number of people coming through the doors.
“Some people borrow and leave, some meet friends here, study, or play games, and the children’s area is extremely busy,” said Brann.
“We’re getting a lot of young people who weren’t here before. I counted more than 100 teens here, working on projects or studying, one day.”
Some people visit Truro, especially to see the library.
More groups are meeting at the library, which is completely accessible and has Wi-Fi access throughout.
“It’s been embraced,” said Brann. “It’s definitely become a community centre for the town and the area.”
The numbers:
Between Oct. 1, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2018, the library had 221,576 visitors
From April-Sept., this year, an average of 55 people per hour visited, an increase of eight more per hour than during that period last year.
In 2017, 196 children registered for the Summer Reading Club. There were 315 this year.
In 2017, there were 56 summer programs for children, and 559 youngsters attended. In 2018, there were 55 programs offered, and 1,595 children took part.
During the last two years, 4,069 new members have signed up and 4,180 people have renewed their membership.
Since Sept. 29, 2016, the library has circulated 271,275 items (books, audiobooks and DVD’s).
The busiest month was March 2018, with 13,517 visitors.
