What Does Your Library Mean To You?
In these challenging economic times, our libraries have seen an amazing increase in patronage. However, local and state funding authorities will be forced to make hard decisions concerning budgets. In order to make these decisions, state and local funders will be asking questions about how various state and local agencies benefit citizens. In an effort to advocate for our libraries, we would like to ask you, our patrons, to share with us how your library has impacted your life. You can mail these testimonials to your local library or drop letters off to staff in the library. We greatly appreciate the support that the Lamar County Board of Supervisors provides our library system. This support has driven our tremendous growth and has allowed us to provide exemplary materials and services to you, our patrons. We would like to share patron experiences with our Supervisors to celebrate the ways in which our libraries benefit all. For contact information for your local library, please check out our library pages by following the links in the right column.
My How We've Grown!
Statistics
The Lamar County Library System has seen a tremendous amount of growth since its beginning as an independent library system in October of 1997. With economic woes plaguing all sectors of our society, libraries have seen a major increase in the number of patrons visiting the libraries, checking out materials and using the Internet on public computers. Lamar County Library System has been very lucky and we appreciate the support out local county supervisors provide, allowing us to provide exemplary services to all citizens in our area. The following statistics show how much busier our libraries have become just since 2007.
Lamar County Library System Statistics
FY2009 FY2008 FY2007
Patron Visits 185,493 166,044 117,535
Registered Patrons 18,235 15,985 13,352
Reference Questions 27,603 20,329 14,609
Items Circulated 150,658 137,789 111,248
Children's Items Circulated 58,021 48,552 38,716
Total number of programs 631 492 284
Registered Patrons 18,235 15,985 13,352
Reference Questions 27,603 20,329 14,609
Items Circulated 150,658 137,789 111,248
Children's Items Circulated 58,021 48,552 38,716
Total number of programs 631 492 284
Attendance at programs 10,480 13,371 5,220