Rapid City Public Library Releases 2022 Annual Report
Library Releases 2022 Annual Report
Rapid City, SD – March 13, 2023 – Rapid City Public Library released its 2022 Annual Report showing increases in new borrowers, people using the library, and library material checkouts.
The library’s digital offerings saw significant increases. There were over 40,000 more digital material checkouts than the previous year. The enhanced digital local history pages also had a 90% increase in use. The 50th anniversary of the 1972 flood moved the public to use the library’s extensive online archives, with page visits up 198%.
60,000 more people visited the library in 2022, a 31% increase. One of the most valued services of the library is digital access which helps individuals find and apply for jobs, pay bills, and stay in touch with loved ones. The library’s computers and WIFI were used for over 282,000 hours.
Updates were made to streamline and minimize barriers to checking out materials, including implementing new self-checkout machines and eliminating overdue fines. Without fines being assessed, the number of checkouts has increased with no change in overdue and lost items or delays in library users receiving materials.
Input from the community was especially important this year in creating a new strategic plan to guide the direction of the library for years to come.
To view the 2022 Annual Report in its entirety, visit https://rb.gy/w34ysm.