Ringing in the new year at RPL

 by Sydney Smith Rowan Public Library

In the first full week of 2019, many of us feel mounting anticipation for the new year and everything it may bring. With a fresh start, anything is possible, and I am most excited to see how the new year will unfold in the world of public libraries.

            2018 was a busy and innovative year for our nation’s public libraries. The American Library Association (ALA) released an updated report regarding the public’s attitudes toward public library systems, and many of their findings were positive: 70% of United States voters responded that they’d visited their local public libraries within the last year, averaging around eight visits per voter.

            The ALA’s report also revealed what the public values most in its public library systems. While finding books, accessing the internet, and having quiet studying spaces still ranked high in importance to public library visitors, many of them voted favorably for other aspects of the library’s services as well. Some of these mentioned services include using community meeting spaces, attending special programs hosted by the library, and learning about new technology.

            Over half of the voters responded that using the public libraries’ digital resources and websites are important to them. 52% of the voters reported visiting their local public library’s website to access the free digital content stored there (such as eBooks, scholarly journals, and technology tutorials, to name a few).

            These positive findings from the ALA’s report are well-reflected in our own Rowan Public Library system. Rowan Public Library offers an immense amount of free digital content and resources as well as print resources for the public to explore. Library staff offers a variety of activities and programs for patrons of all ages to experience, and the librarians are ready to assist patrons with technology questions and research queries.

We also have a lot to look forward to in 2019 regarding Rowan Public Library as excitement for the West Branch continues to grow. A brand-new year of exciting programs commences this week, and the library will continue to grow its collections of print and digital materials. Public libraries are still popular institutions among the American public, and seeing ours continue to flourish and grow in Rowan County will be an especially exciting part of 2019.