Library director reports dip in checkouts, rising program attendance and expansion progress

Kewaskum Library Director Stephanie told the board June 12 that circulation is down roughly 7% year‑to‑date while internet use and e‑content trends are mixed. She said interlibrary lending and program attendance have increased, and the library hopes summer programming will boost checkouts.

"While we were up in village residents, we are down for the year in total by 7%," the director said, noting that internet use is up and e‑content lending is down slightly. She reported 215 children and adults had signed up for the summer reading program as of the meeting and that the launch on June 9 included chalk art, ice cream and scavenger hunts.

On facilities and services, the director said the expanded children's side is open and the library is receiving new fixturing from West Bend for the adult side. Teen computers remain to be installed pending electrician work; the director expects to complete fixture replacements by mid‑ to end‑July with rolling changes to avoid disrupting summer programs.

Staff highlighted programming gains: children's programming attendance is up about 53% year‑over‑year and adult attendance up about 29%. The library will add in‑demand titles through the Monarch Library System’s floating collection to increase available popular titles for local patrons.

The board accepted the report and did not take separate action; the director will circulate a comprehensive budget draft next week for board review at the July meeting.