Connection in 2021 meant going to your local branch for free rapid Covid tests or stepping onto the Bookmobile, back after 12 years. It looked like using one of our new-or-improved resources, like three new types of Book-a-Bikes, new community gardens and playspaces, and additions to our Library of things, including AHA! Children’s Museum passes and Fitness Kits. To further improve access and outreach, we made curbside service a permanent option, lowered our printing/faxing costs, hosted our first virtual author-illustrator visit, and made our first annual resource Newsletter for area educators.
It was an exceptionally creative year, and it was a particularly exhausting year. Through it all, our community partners, Board of Trustees, fantastic library managers, and staff (and most importantly, library visitors!) reminded us why public libraries are vital in America’s communities. Thank you, Athens County, for a memorable and meaningful 86th year.
- 342,312 items borrowed
- 45,123 ACPL cardholders
- 1,330 eLibrary cardholders
- 505 eLibrary cardholders added in 2021
- 24,943 free rapid COVID tests provided to the public through the Ohio Department of
Health - 148,049 digital checkouts
- 3,293 items delivered to At-Home Patrons
- 512 personal WiFi hotspot checkouts
- 924 appointments & 967 people helped through tech training assistance
- 14,994 public computer uses
Highlights
- 2,170 new cardholders
- 23,955 items added to our collection
- 675 bookmobile visitors
- Locker libraries added in New Marshfield, Stewart, and Shade, joining Amesville’s
- Natural playspace at the Athens library designed by Ohio CAN collective and made
possible by the Paxton Fund
Programs
- 160 Adult in-person programs with 2,018 attendees
- 695 Kids/Teen in-person programs with 8,405 attendees
- 145+ Virtual programs from January through July alone
Community Partner Highlights
- Virtual storytime series with our local Asian American Pacific Islander community
- New community Wifi hotspot added at the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart
- Partnership with Rural Action, Americorps members from Ohio Stream Restore Corps, and ODNR for a
popular and educational “programs to-go” series - Added an accessible bike to our Book-a-Bike collection, donated by the Athens
County Knitters and designed by OHIO Russ College of Engineering and Technology students
Revenues & Expenditures
General Revenue
- Public Library Fund: $2,287,962.54
- Local Property Taxes: $1,479,317.35
- Refunds and Reimbursement:: $66,496.95
- Fees: $14,148.78
- Interest: $1,541.28
- Donations: $81,546.63
- Grants: $50,345.40
- Miscellaneous: $808.05
- Total: $3,982,166.98
General Expenditures
- Salaries and Benefits: $2,192,562.43
- Operating Expenses: $484,188.42
- Capital Outlay: $251,496.94
- Materials: $453,624.93
- Transfers Out: $279,653.12
- Total: $3,661,525.84
Coming soon
Storybook Trail at Robbins Crossing at Hocking College
