TOM BIRCH: "Bay County residents are using their libraries more than ever."

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Bay County Library Use Increases Twice the National Average

Director Tom Birch Details Improvements Since 2007 Voter Millage Approval

March 14, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

The list of improvements and increased usage at the Bay County Library System since voter approval of a three-year 1.0 millage increase in 2007 is impressive to say the least.

Director Tom Birch has issued the 2009 Annual Report, noting the Sage Branch library has been reopened; the Bookmobile is back on the road three days a week; hours have been increased at the Auburn and Pinconning branches and Sunday afternoon hours have been added at the Wirt main branch during the school year.

"In times of economic hardship, Americans increasingly turn to, and depend on, their libraries and librarians," he wrote in the report. "Bay County residents are using their libraries more than ever.

"They use the library to research and apply for jobs online, as support for entrepreneurship, retraining and lifelong education.

"Increasingly, they are looking to the library as a social and entertainment hub providing free programs and classes.

"Welcoming, comfortable and modern library facilities play a vital role as community anchor institutions in Auburn, Pinconning and Bay City."

Among other improvements, Mr. Birch cited:

68,374 Bay County residents own a Bay County Library System card;

846,797 items checked out, an increase of 14 percent over 2008 and more than twice the average increase for public libraries nationwide;

109,087 computer uses, an increase of 29 percent over 2008;

408,733 visits to the library, an increase of 14 percent over 2008;

10,343 people participated in the Summer Reading Program, an increase of 31 percent over 2008;

39,222 people attended 1,166 programs at the libraries;

12,840 people attended 518 Children's Story Times;

4,510 people attended 215 teen programs;

653 meetings were booked in meeting rooms by community groups;

25,605 new items were added to library collections.

The library has added a "What is Your Library Worth to You?" link to an annual calculator at www.baycountylibrary.org.

Last year marked the 35th anniversary of the Bay County Library System, organized in 1974, and the 125th anniversary of the Sage Public Library, dedicated in 1884.

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