Visit the Geneva Library Wednesday, and Create a Snapshot of Its Use

By visiting the on Wednesday, you can help provide a snapshot of library use and its value to our community and ourselves.

The Geneva library, as are others across the state, are participating in the Illinois Library Association’s “Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Your Library.”

Library officials will compile statistics, customer comments, photographs (it is called “Snapshot,” after all) and other data chronicling a typical library day. Picking up books being held on reserve? Click a snapshot. Snatching up a hot read from the “Hot Reads” shelf? Click. Seeing what books are about to be added to the collection on the “Forthcoming” shelf? A click to the future. Participating in story hour or selecting a picture book? Click. Reading one of the many newspapers or magazines available for free, in a cozy reading chair? Click, click. Working on a term paper? Click again. 

Perusing the DVDs, audiobooks or even (it pains me even to write the words) video games? Take another picture of library patrons taking advantage of library offerings and taking something home for free.

The results are intended to offer “indisputable proof that libraries consistently provide invaluable services to our community,” according to information on “Snapshot.”

The statistics on the day’s activities will be reported to the state, measuring usage of programs, materials and computer use, among other offerings, said Peggy Carlson, assistant library director. 

“We’re also looking for comments—hopefully positive ones,” she said. Though it’s true most funding for the library comes from local property taxes, other funding comes from the state. “We’re trying to prove we’re relevant,” she said, pointing to remarks by many that the Internet has rendered libraries largely irrelevant. “We like to feel we offer value.”

Circulation in the last fiscal year was approximately 650,000, compared to 624,000 the year before, so usage is definitely up. “In economic times like these, I think people turn to the library a little bit more,” Carlson said. Patrons can use library computers and can check books out instead of buying them. 

Snapshot Day is part of National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Create Your Own Story @ Your Library,” and staff members have created a display illustrating ideas on how patrons can write their stories, using materials checked out from the library.