Branches cap 2008 with another circulation record

For the 10th consecutive year, the three branches of the Delaware County District Library system in 2008 set another circulation record, falling just shy of the goal to hit 900,000 circulated items in a year.

As of close of business on Dec. 31, Delaware County library members checked out a total of 898,344 books, audio books, videos, DVDs and other items from the main branch, 84 E. Winter St., the Powell branch, 460 S. Liberty St., and the Ostrander branch, 75 N. Fourth St.

That figure outpaced 2007's record circulation of 803,319 by more than 95,025 items, an increase of 10 percent, according to library director Mary Jane Santos.

While she was a little disappointed they didn't reach the goal, an increase of 10 percent is "significant," Santos said.

While the library continues to increase its holdings and introduce new programs to attract library patrons, a lot of the circulation increase can be attributed to the county's growing population, she said.

As the county grows, so does the library, said Shea Alltmont, the library's communications manager,

In recent years, the library has increased the number of items available for check-out, introduced E-Books that can be downloaded to personal computers or MP3 players, and increased the number of computers available for public use.

In January, it will introduce Playaways, a palm-sized device with ear phones, that holds one audio book and runs on batteries.

"Obviously, the population in the area has been growing, but we still have to get them in the door and provide them with books and other materials they want," Santos said.

For Moira Blitzstein and Presley Lindemann, the library is a community center where they can interact with other parents while their children peruse the library shelves, work on the computer or just play.

"This is one of the only really free community places where there is something for everybody and it's literary, not like a mall," said Blitzstein, who lives in Delaware and is the mother of a 12-year-old and a 1-year-old.

"I think they really have great programs here. The story times are nice and the kids are encouraged to check out books while they are here," said Lindemann, the Delaware mother of three children ages 7, 5 and 1. "And it's free and helps to build a sense of community ... It's a treat for my kids to come to the library."

"I'm amazed at how many families don't come here," Blitzstein added. "For us it's a normal stop. We go to the park, the store and the library."

For more information on the library and its programs, go to www.delawarelibrary.org.