Annual Reports

The State of the Library, March 2018

By the numbers:

• In 2017, borrowing of books, e-books, audiobooks, etc. remains very strong with a total of 643,915 including:
  • Bowling Green         469,778
  • Walbridge                  50,802
  • Bookmobile               29,342           
  • WC Jail Library        19,599                       
  • E-books, etc.            74,394 (up 18%)
• Since 2002, usage has increased 45% (441,573 in 2002).
• 1,594 programs and events attended by 30,793 people (up 11%).
  • 279 adult programs; 4,368 attendees.
  • 1,315 youth programs; 26,425 attendees (up 12%).
• 22,832 items added to the collections.
• 110,864 questions answered by the staff (up 7%).
• Foot traffic averaged 4,269 visitors per week.

2017 Highlights:

• Renovated and expanded Walbridge library opened in March. 2017 usage in Walbridge is at an all-time high.
• 26,287 cardholders (up 3%), not including 6000 eCards distributed to Bowling Green, Lake, and Northwood schools.
• 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten initiative launched in June to promote early literacy. Thank you to the Friends of the Library for sponsoring this effort.
• The Foundation raised over $110,000 at their Library Benefit at Schedel for the purchase of new books, audiobooks, e-books, etc.

2017 Revenue:

2017 Expenditures:

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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. 
• The current levy will next be on the ballot in November 2020.
• State funding for libraries is set at 1.68% of General Revenue.
• As the economy improves and state revenues grow, so does support for libraries.  As General Revenue decreases (or is cut), so does support for libraries.

You may download a pdf of the State of the Library, 2016 from the link below.