A Busy Library
Observations by Tony Wieczorek, Cataloging Librarian

A few weeks ago I was working on a Sunday afternoon here at the Library.  As usual, and despite the circulation desk being fully staffed, there was a quite a line waiting for check out.  Reference was busy and the computer stations were all full too; a typical Sunday afternoon at the Library.  At one point, a woman approached me and asked, "Is it always this busy here?"  I said "yes," and took a deep breath waiting for what I thought would be a complaint.  Instead, with a bright shining face, she replied, "Cool!" and walked away.  For her, the busyness of the Library was a source of excitement and surprise.  Yes, the Library is a busy place.  But do you know how busy?

During the month of March alone there were 108,080 items checked out.  Add to that 14,510 questions asked at the Adult and Children's Reference, and Information Desks.  Our staff filled 8,275 holds placed by our patrons.  Does that seem like a lot?  Actually, unless you are into library management it would be hard to say.  But think of it this way: During every minute of every hour we were open during March, every 7 seconds an item was checked out.  While that was going on someone was asking a question at one of our public stations at the rate of a little better than 1 per minute.

Nor do people come here just to take out books, movies, and CDs.  The library has become an electronic resource for the community as well.  During March, 8,406 people made use of one of our computer workstations.  That breaks down to 33.5 people using a library computer during every hour we were open. 

Through Internet access people use the Library without ever leaving home.  During March, the Appleton Public Library Web site was accessed 157,477 times.  That means, each day in March, people looked at the library’s web pages 5,079 times.

The Library is also a forum for community activities and events.  During March, our meeting and study rooms were used 232 times.  Over 2000 children attended at least one of more than 100 programs or tours during that month.  Over 200 people toured the Library.  And 175 people attended various adult Community Service Programs offered by Library staff.

So what's happening at the Library?   It breaks down like this for March:

 There were tours, children's, youth, and adult programs, and outside groups coming in to use a meeting room.  Yes, the Library is a busy place because the Community uses it.  A lot of people recognize the Appleton Public Library as a much needed and appreciated resource not only for recreation and information, but also for community activity and social contact.

This is only half the story, though.  So much goes on behind the scenes in order to make all this public activity possible.  From acquisitions to cataloging, to processing and shelving, to the people who set up, take down and clean; there is a world of activity seldom seen by the public that goes on to make the Library work.  Next time, a look at this behind-the-scenes world of Appleton Public Library.