New Appleton library sees strong attendance, large events and high circulation in first weeks

Library staff told trustees that the new Appleton Public Library building is drawing strong public interest and high use across programs, meeting rooms and circulation services.

Staff said returns and processing have largely cleared storage: holds and title paging resumed and are running close to normal volumes (about 400'500 title paging items per day, according to staff). Circulation and renewals during the reporting period totaled 38,204 checkouts/renewals. The library recorded 1,160 new cards, 128 replacement cards and 1,745 card renewals so far in March. Room use was robust: staff reported 417 study-room bookings, 139 conference-room bookings and 78 sensory-room bookings; the door count for the reporting period was 23,866.

Large public programs have worked well in the new space; staff described a Fox Cities Reads event that used the Mary Beth Neenhaus community meeting room and drew an estimated 282 attendees. An author signing line that followed lasted about an hour and a half and wrapped around the meeting room; staff said the event flow was managed successfully with volunteers.

Children's services described an increase in school field trips and in the Stream Team (science/technology/engineering/art/reading/math) activities that were prepped for small-group distribution. The sensory room and learning stairs have been frequently used and staff said they are still completing a number of post-construction tasks (donor signage, railings, concrete work, rubberized children's garden surface and finishing touches on signage and shelving).

Trustees and staff noted tours from other libraries and community groups; staff said they will distribute two-week statistical snapshots of early usage to trustees in a forthcoming report.