Andalusia Public Library reports circulation and program gains; asks commission to continue support

Sarah Mixon, director of the Andalusia Public Library, presented a year-to-date snapshot showing 27,872 items circulated and more than 200 programs offered this fiscal year (up about 75% from the prior year). She said the library serves an estimated 18,000 people (city and 47% of the county) and added about 630 new patrons this year.

"These programs are not only for kids... we have started a classics club program once a month where we offer crafts and different things for adults to come in," Mixon said, noting expanded STEM kits and young-adult engagement. She told commissioners that county funds go toward programming and asked for continued support so the library can sustain and grow community offerings.

Why it matters: local library programming supports education, workforce-readiness and community engagement across the county. Commissioners had brief questions and thanked Mixon; no appropriation was decided at the meeting.