The State of the Library, February 2020
- In 2019, the number of books, e-books, audiobooks, large print books, etc. borrowed by our community grew by 5% to a total of 783,166 check-outs system-wide including:
| Bowling Green - 480,961 | Walbridge - 67,037 |
| Bookmobile - 23,396 | WC Jail Library -16,753 |
| E-books/Digital Content -195,019 |
Since 2012, the number of items borrowed has increased 29% (605,799 in 2012).
- Number of cardholders increased 7.6% (to 29,827), even after purging 2,630 inactive accounts.
- We offered 1,472 programs attended by 29,864 people:
- 293 adult programs with 5,198 attendees.
- 1,179 youth programs with 24,666 attendees.
- 2,113 Summer Reading registrants enjoyed a Universe of Stories.
- The library owns a collection of 197,679 physical items.
- 15,562 physical items were added.
- Plus 2,464 digital items were added.
- 12,929 physical items were withdrawn.
- 15,562 physical items were added.
- Volunteer hours increased 5% (3,880 hours) thanks to our dedicated corps of VolunTeens!
- The tally of questions answered by the staff grew 2% (to 111,020).
2019 Highlights:
- The Foundation’s Novel Night gala auction raised over $154,000 for the purchase of new books, audiobooks, e-books, large print books, and picture books.
- The 1974 chiller plant and the 1994 condenser unit were replaced to ensure effective and efficient air conditioning of the BG building.
- Author visits: Hank Phillipi Ryan headlined Crime Solvers Weekend, Beth Macy kicked off the Foundation Series, Nate Blakeslee (Foundation Series), and Amy Stewart (Community Reads).
2018 Revenue:
| Source: | Amount: | Percentage: |
| State Public Library Fund | $1,585,466 | 54.39% |
| Local Levy | $1,050,814 | 36.05% |
| Fines, Fees, Misc. | $94,505 | 3.24% |
| Foundation & Friends | $184,376 | 6.32% |
| Total | $2,915,161 |
2018 Expenditures:
| Category: | Amount: | Percentage: |
| Personnel | $1,457,656 | 59.66% |
| Supplies | $31,477 | 1.29% |
| Services | $448,071 | 18.34% |
| New Books, Etc. | $423,246 | 17.32% |
| FFE & Technology | $69,838 | 2.86% |
| Other | $13,178 | 0.54% |
| Total | $2,443,466 |
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- 0.8 mill, 5-year levy passed in November 2010 with 58% approval.
- Levy RENEWED for 6 years in November 2014 with 70% approval.
- Levy funding accounts for 40% of the library’s tax revenue support.
- The current levy will next be on the ballot in November 2020.
- State funding for libraries is set at 1.70% of General Revenue.
- As the economy improves and state revenues grow, so does revenue for public libraries. As General Revenue decreases (or is cut), revenue for public libraries also decreases.
- State funding accounts for 60% of the library’s tax revenue support.
You may download pdfs of the current and previous States of the Library, from the links below.