NASHUA PUBLIC LIBRARY CIRCULATION RISES
by Carol Luers Eyman
Community Services Coordinator
Nashua Public Library

In the fiscal year that ended June 30th, circulation at the Nashua Public Library rose 29% over the previous year. Loren Rosson, supervisor of circulation, says that 559,441 items were checked out in fiscal year 2004, compared to 434,118 the year before. Combined with the 21% that circulation increased from 2002 to 2003, the library's business is up over 50% in the past two years. Library Director, Joseph Dionne, points to improved customer service and public relations as reasons for the increases. Circulation of media items - DVDs, videos, and CDs - rose most, with DVD borrowing up 128%. Rearranged display areas; new types of materials, such as graphic novels and videogames; and increased programming have also boosted circulation. The average number of people who visit the library has grown 23%, from about 70 per opening hour to 86 per hour in the past fiscal year.

The library received a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation that funds a pilot project to produce Web tutorials. These tutorials will be designed to improve the technical skills of library employees. Library volunteer Paul Lacroix, a semi-retired software engineer, has developed the first demo tutorial, which covers the use of Jaws, a computer program that allows visually impaired people to surf the Web. After he develops a second demo tutorial, the library will have both of them evaluated by other area libraries. If they are found to be successful, additional funding will be solicited to continue the project.

The library started a new outreach service in September, purchasing a minivan that delivers books and other materials to institutions and private residences of homebound senior citizens and to day-care centers. The library's Bookmobile took its last ride on July 30th. The occasion was marked by a raffle for Bookmobile customers that encouraged them to visit the main library by requiring tickets to be dropped off there. The vehicle is scheduled to be sold at state auction in October.