Fun with Numbers

As you know, we keep track of all kinds of numbers at FCPL that give us an indication of how the library is being used, including the number of items checked out, the number of patrons attending library programs, and many other statistics.  We’ve recently begun keeping track of the number of patrons served through our new curbside pickup service and our new chat service.

Contact-Free Curbside Pickup Service

On Monday, the first day of this service, we served 332 patrons and checked out 1,701 items.  For comparison, 5,178 physical items were checked out at the branches on the equivalent day in May 2019 (the second Monday of the month).  On the second day, we served 349 patrons and checked out 2,149 items.  For comparison, 4,401 physical items were checked out at the branches on the equivalent day in May 2019 (the second Tuesday of the month).

Chat Service

We began offering chat service on April 22.  From April 22-30, there were 311 chat conversations with patrons.  So far in May (from May 1-12), there have been 487 chat conversations with patrons.

Circulation

You may wonder how the library having been closed for two months has affected our circulation totals for the year.  In FY19 (the year ending June 30, 2019) our total circulation was 2,832,399, which had set a library record and was 16% higher than the FY18 circulation of 2,451,125.  As of April 30, our total circulation was 2,092,352.  It’s hard to predict our total FY20 circulation without knowing when our buildings will reopen for normal service, but at this point I’d estimate somewhere between 2.2 million and 2.5 million.  This would represent a decrease from last year, but that’s completely understandable given our current circumstances.  Patrons are continuing to use the library in high numbers and are engaging with our staff in very positive ways.

eLibrary

As expected, usage of the eLibrary has increased substantially while the branches have been closed.  In April, 20,366 OverDrive eBooks were checked out, which was an 87% increase over April 2019.  To provide context, the number of eBooks checked out in April was approximately the number of physical items checked out at Hampton Park in a typical month.  While eBooks usage has skyrocketed, patrons are still checking out eAudiobooks as well.  Last month, 8,187 eAudiobooks were checked out, which was a 34% increase over April 2019.  (This is a significant increase, of course, but the rate of increase for eAudiobooks has slowed since the branches closed.  Previously the increases were 50% over the previous year.)  Usage of eResources has increased significantly as well, up 168% over the previous April.

Programs

While our branches have been closed our Youth Services staff and our Information staff have been hard at work providing virtual programs for our patrons, who have watched and attended in high numbers.  In March, virtual program attendance was 10,488, and in April virtual program attendance was 35,900.  We are currently using four different platforms for virtual programs.  In April we had 39 videos on YouTube, with total views of 16,498; 32 videos on Facebook, with total views of 15,759; 23 videos on Instagram, with total views of 3,576; and 10 live virtual programs on GoToMeeting, with attendance of 67.

If you have any questions about these numbers or about the usage of any other service, please comment below.