Happy new year from your library.
Before you think I’ve lost track of my calendar, Robeson County Public Library resets our service year every July 1. As we begin a new year at the library, I always like to share a few fun facts from the previous year, which ended on June 30.
During the 2015-2016 fiscal year, our library system checked out more than 135,000 items. This shows a 7 percent increase over the 2014-2015 year. More than 3,500 new library cards were registered and our seven libraries and bookmobile provided more than 13,000 service hours to our communities. I’m thrilled to report these statistics because it emphasizes that our libraries are a vital resource in Robeson County.
To ensure we are continuing to grow and providing excellent resources and services, the library staff has set a circulation goal of 140,000 items checked out during the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Every book, DVD and audiobook you check out or renew counts towards our goal. We would also like to register 4,000 new library patrons in the coming year. We love new faces at the library.
The summer reading programs are underway and there is still plenty of time to get involved. There are activities and reading bingo games available for all ages. Signing up for the free programs only takes a minute at any location. You will receive a bingo card to start your reading adventure. You cross off boxes on your reading bingo card as you complete activities or books and turn it into the library staff for cool prizes. For the youngest readers, examples of bingo books are a bedtime story, dinosaur books, alphabet books or a farm book. Older kids get to pick from books such as a book with pirates, a fairy tale book or an award-winning book. Teens step up to the challenge with choices like a dystopian book, a book that became a movie, a graphic novel or a book more than 10 years old. The theme for adult summer reading is “Exercise Your Mind: Read!” so the adult bingo card includes health building activities. In addition to reading any books you like, adults score points for trying a healthy recipe, going for a walk after dinner and visiting a local park. To check out all the ways to earn points, get your own bingo card at the library. The reading program runs until Aug. 5.
There are 10 summer reading programs this coming week. We are screening “The Jungle Book” on Monday at 3 p.m. in the Osterneck Auditorium. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend. Family story times will be in Pembroke on Monday at 11 a.m., in St. Pauls on Tuesday at 11 a.m., in Rowland on Wednesday at 3 p.m., in Fairmont and Lumberton on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and in Red Springs on Thursday at 3 p.m. Learn how to use Windows 10 at the TECH Lab in the McLean Room on Tuesday at 10 a.m. with Leah. Adults are invited to movie night on Thursday, where we will be showing “London Has Fallen” at 6 p.m. in the Osterneck Auditorium. All programs are free to attend, so get in the game and read.