Cook Memorial usage surges after renovation

If you’re one of those people predicting the Internet will lead to the demise of public libraries, think again.

The Cook Memorial Public Library District’s circulation figures surged upward last month, thanks in no small part to the reopening of the remodeled main library in Libertyville’s Cook Park.

Patrons checked out an estimated 150,489 items in January, a 23-percent increase from January 2010. The figure likely is a record for January, officials said, even though the main library was closed for the first week of the year.

The district’s monthly circulation total was greater only once in the past 5½ years, Cook Memorial public relations coordinator Gabriella Pantle said. Circulation in July 2008 reached 152,885, according to district records.

Library officials were ecstatic about the public’s renewed enthusiasm for the Libertyville library.

“The response to the opening of the Cook Park Library once again demonstrates the value our citizens hold for the public library as a key institution in contributing to the quality of life for the communities we serve,” Cook Memorial Director Stephen Kershner said in an e-mail.

The Cook Park facility opened Jan. 8 after a $7 million renovation and expansion project that lasted more than a year. During construction, a smaller, storefront facility operated elsewhere in the village.

Library services also were available through the bookmobile, facilities in Vernon Hills and other efforts.

Despite only being open for 23 days in January, the Cook Park library proved to be incredibly popular, statistics show. Its patrons borrowed 86,692 books, CDs, DVDs and other materials, far more than the 56,660 items borrowed at the district’s Aspen Drive branch in Vernon Hills during the entire month. Bookmobile and outreach business accounted for an additional 7,137 items checked out that month.

The 150,489 items checked out districtwide during the month easily tops the district’s previous record for January, which was reached in 2009 when 136,706 items were borrowed. Officials attribute the new January record to the Cook Park library’s reopening, which saw tremendous foot traffic from its first day of service.

“In a town with a population of roughly 20,000 people, to have almost 4,500 people at the library in a four-hour time period for the grand opening says how much these citizens value their public library,” Kershner said.

Last month’s total is even more impressive when measured against the circulation figure from December 2010. District patrons borrowed a relatively low 90,791 items that month. The December 2010 figure was affected by the closing of the temporary library on Dec. 16, officials said.