Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

LIBRARY VISIT INCREASE

Kamloops library usage up 12 per cent last year, with popularity growing for tiny library addition

Feb 9, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Reading’s not dead, according to the Thompson Nicola Regional Library system. Stats from 2023 show libraries in the Kamloops area were well used.

“Visits were up in Kamloops by 12 per cent actually, which amounts to more than 20,000 people,” says TNRL Kamloops Libraries and Engagement Manager Margo Schiller.

There isn’t a singular reason for the increase, but Schiller figures part of it has to do with people transitioning back into pre-pandemic levels of activity.

“We’ve also had a big increase in new library cards that we’ve handed out. That was about a 26 per cent increase from last year.”

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Alongside physical books, the library’s other offerings also saw an uptick in use.

“For this year it was really interesting to see that our e-book and our e-audio book numbers were up quite a bit,” notes Schiller. “(There was) about a 15 per cent increase from 2022 actually, so that amounted to 32,000 additional electronic items that were borrowed by patrons.”

And the newest branch, a 353-square-foot tiny library located in Aberdeen Mall, has become even more popular than library officials hoped it would be.

“There’s a lot of seniors during the week and stuff like that, but in the later part of the afternoon and on Saturdays especially, there’s a lot of families. A lot of teens on Saturdays, too,” explains Branch Head Mike Brown. “We’re getting the whole gamut.”

Parking accessibility and other mall amenities are a big draw for people dropping in to pick up or return books. So is the new machine for holds, complete with RFID scanning technology to track which books are picked up.

“I’ve filled it to capacity twice now. There was one day I had to stop checking items in because I couldn’t fit anything else in — so we’ve ordered another one.” says Brown. “Yeah, it’s going great guns around here.”

The tiny library also gives better insight into what sort of demand exists for an eventual full-sized facility in the southwest sector of Kamloops.

“It is our dream and our hope one day to have a standalone library in this sector. That’s going to be years in the future — we don’t know when,” notes Schiller. “Having this location at the mall is a great opportunity to provide that service in the southwest of Kamloops here and now for people.”

The official ribbon cutting for the mall location is set for February 16, with family-friendly activities planned for the following day (Feb. 17). Saturday’s agenda includes Story Jam, an appearance from Princess Belle with Wishing Well Parties and Events, face painting, games and activities with Lollipop the Clown.