Gunn Library Statistics
Some annual statistics and items of note during 2018-19 include:
The Museum was focused on creating the long-term Washington history exhibit and new programming was put on pause until after the exhibit opens. The Museum sponsored 4 programs held on and off-site including Washington History Club, History Bites Lecture, New Year’s Tea Party and Cookie Contest and the annual Washington Cemetery Tour. The museum closed to the public on September 2018 and the small display in the entrance room was taken down to prepare for construction of the long-term exhibit. Total visitors to programs and Museum volunteers totaled 1,550.
The Adult Library sponsored and collaborated on 71 programs, including four programs conducting multiple week sessions, with a total attendance of over 3,000 (3,348). Programs included the extremely popular Monday Matinee Film Series, Exhibition on Screen series, two literature series and various lectures and discussion, including six author talks and book signings.
44,266 people visited the library, averaging 851 people per week
The Library’s collection continues to be steady at nearly 50,000 (actual number is 47,682) items, with an additional 10,888 items available through the Overdrive collection of downloadable e-books and audio books. Also available to our patrons through the rbDigital link at the CT State website (formerly IConn) there is approximately 3,913 downloadable e-book and audio titles. This brings our total available materials collection to 62,209.
The Museum cataloged 130 artifacts, updated 1,564 collection records and accessioned 94 new items, bringing the total number of artifact records in Past Perfect to 11,754. A regular core group of 16 volunteers works diligently to keep up with collection documentation and related activities in addition to volunteers who worked on special events.
The 11th annual Cemetery Tour successfully flourished, with 385 attendees enjoying this annual event.
The Library circulated 39,657 items. Circulation of non-print materials, including audio books & digital downloads music and movies, remains steady at 38% of the total. Books, magazines and downloadable digital books (ebooks) made up the other 62%. Breakdown of our circulation is 62% adult, 34% children and 4% young adult.
GML loaned 2,857 items to other libraries and we borrowed 1,431 items from other libraries for our patrons. Out-of-town patrons from neighboring communities came into Gunn and borrowed 11,418 directly from our shelves.
One-on-one technology assistance (provided by Jessica) continues to be successful. More than 75 patrons have been assisted in use of personal devices, emails and general technology navigation. One of the most requested topics is instruction for the Libby App, a digital library service which provides patrons with Overdrive, a user friendly format for digital materials that the library subscribes to. Using their library barcode, patrons have access to over 10,500 titles for e-book and audio download to their digital devices. A printed instructional brochure, which we continually replace due to demand, is available at the Circulation Desk to assist patrons.
The 4th and 5th grade “After-School Gaming” group remained consistent with approximately 18 kids attending each session for a six week period in the fall and spring. Other programs for older kids included the “Teen Tech Time” program where local students volunteered to assist adult patrons with technology information such as how to use their I-phones, navigating their email or laptop computers. We had two students who volunteered once a week, devoting an afternoon to assist our patrons during the fall and again in the spring. Ten patrons took advantage of this service.
The Junior Library hosted 135 programs with a total attendance of over 4,000 (4,085).
59 prizes were donated by local businesses & individuals to the children’s Summer Reading Program during which time 191 children logged in nearly 5,000 (4,771) hours of reading.
The Library hosted over 13 community groups, including, the Washington Democratic Town Committee, the Washington Republican Town Committee, the Washington Friends of Music, the Washington Environmental Council, Shakespeare in the Park, Wykeham Rise alumnae and various local schools to provide space for tutoring, lectures, class instruction, meeting space, workshops and receptions. Many of these organizations utilized our facilities for multiple events.
77 people registered as Friends of the Museum and the semi-annual Washington Chronicles continues to be mailed as a benefit. This year members joining at the $100 level and above received the Museum’s annual calendar.”
Over 1,151 people registered to use computers in the adult library; a 7.3% increase from last year. Additionally, patrons brought their own digital devices to the library to use our wireless Internet service (which we aren’t able to keep track of). Patrons logged in remotely to electronic resources and databases available through our website, such as Wowbrary with 3,043 hits, Scholastic Grolier Online with 843 sessions and Bookflix with 462 sessions.
