Numbers to make you say "WOW"

I spent some time yesterday afternoon pulling together some statistics. We all know that use at the libraries is way up -- you've seen it every time you come in and see the computers full, the new books being checked out, the children at storytime. But, of course, beyond the anecdotal "we're so much busier than we used to be" approach, I need the numbers that back it up. And boy oh boy, have we got numbers!!

Check this out:

In fiscal year 2003, we circulated 26,952 items (an average of 73 items per day).

This has increased each year, and

In fiscal year 2006, we circulated 62,391 items (an average of 171 items per day).

Yes, circulation has more than doubled in the past three years! We are now circulating more items out of the Abbeville branch than we did three years ago in all three libraries combined!

But wait -- there's more . . .

This is the data I had to check, then double-check, then triple-check because, well, WOW --

In fiscal year 2004, there were 1,872 computer sessions by patrons

In fiscal year 2006, there were 11,998 sessions.

Yeah, you read that right -- in two years, our computer use is up 600 percent!! The technology explosion is not a myth.

I'm thrilled to know that you are using our services, and I know those numbers will keep going up and up --

--Mary Elizabeth