For Mt. Prospect Public Library, 2011 is one for the record books

Mount Prospect Public Library hits record circulation.

In just five years' time, Mount Prospect Public Library has seen a 30 percent surge in circulation. The Library ended 2011 with a record 1,063,364 items circulated as compared to 816,716 items in 2006.

“In 2009, we began to see an increase in library usage that may have been linked to the downturn in the economy,” noted Marilyn Genther, Executive Director. “People appreciate the value that the Library offers -- everything from borrowing books and DVDs to accessing the Internet.”

Processing those 200,000 additional items is a lot of work – every item checked out also has to be checked in. Fortunately, in 2009, the library began implementing an RFID tagging system that has helped make the check-in and check-out process faster and more efficient.

“The new RFID system allows us to check out 3-5 items at one time,” said Kathy Murray, Head of Circulation. “It also converts the old two-step process of checking in or out an item and sensitizing or desensitizing it into one single step, so we can process items much more quickly,” noted Murray.

RFID will also enable the library to offer self-check out.

“Soon our library users will be able to check out their items themselves, at their convenience, if that is what they prefer,” added Murray. Another factor that made it feasible for staff to handle the increase in demand is the “My Account” online and phone renewal systems. As the usage of these options increased, fewer people are going to the Circulation Desk to renew items inperson, freeing up staff to focus on the check in/out process.

These circulation figures only reflect physical items that have been checked out. The popularity of e-readers and tablets has spurred an interest in borrowing e-books. Between 2010 and 2011, e-book activity more than doubled. “In September 2011, e-books for the Kindle became available through the Library's MyMediaMall system and the demand has been tremendous,” commented Larry D'Urso, Head of Fiction/AV/Teen Services.

According to Genther keeping pace with demand and meeting residents' growing needs is always a challenge. “We work very hard to find creative, fiscally-responsible solutions to give the community what it wants,” notes Genther.