2010: A Year of Renewal.
About Library Services and Circulation
About Library Services and Circulation
- Visitation: split relatively evenly by location, with a slightly higher percentage visiting Main Library. Respondents indicated they visit the library at least once per month.
- Computer use: consistently high at all Library locations
- Computer users: range in age from youth to seniors, with more male users than female
- Browsing: highest in new book and audio-visual sections
- Reserves: customers picking up hold items engaged in quick, transactional visits
- Returns: customers replenish items at a similar level to number of items returned
- Programs: 30% of respondents attend programs, with the majority attending children’s or family programming
- Use: respondents viewed the Library as first a resource for borrowing materials and second as a community service organization to promote reading and learning
- Average checkout per visit: three items per customer
- Average annual circulation per customer: 25 items
About Library Customers
- Average customer age: 35.3
- Dominant customer age group: 25 -34
- 84% of total customer population is age 55 and under
- Most customers live within the Fort Collins city limits
- The majority of customers outside the city limits reside south of Fort Collins
- More than 50% of residents within a 1.5 mile radius of each Library location have a library card
- Each Library location within the system was found to have significant differences in the demographic makeup of residents living within a 1.5 mile radius, suggesting diversity in the services of each Library
- Customer age varies by location:
Main Library – concentration of young adults and professionals
Harmony Library – highest concentration of seniors
Council Tree Library – highest concentration of “tweens” - Children: 43% of respondents have at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home, vs. 29% of residents in the total Library District area
Other Trends and Highlights:
Library use:
- 60% of respondents have read at least 10 books in the past year
- 79% indicated their primary library use was browsing and borrowing books
Customer satisfaction:
- High for the majority of services
- More DVDs and CDs available for borrowing
- Desired enhancements:
50% indicated increased availability of new materials would drive additional use
Highest-rated enhancements: downloadable materials and self-service kiosks
