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The Longmont Library is one of the only community spaces that offers a variety of services and things without an expectation to spend money, said Jamie Quirk, who serves on the Longmont Library Advisory Board.
The Longmont Library has checked out nearly 1 million materials including electronics, books and other items found in its Library of Things.
The library has served 123,235 patrons, more than the population of Longmont, through services including computer lab sessions, Text-A-Librarian service and community engagement outside of the library. The Children and Teen section of the library was popular in 2023 with 21,275 people attending its programming.
The programs at the Longmont Library are all funded by the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the library and literacy “in every way imaginable,” its website states. In 2023, the nonprofit donated nearly $45,000.
It is unique that programming is completely supported by donated dollars.
“Most public libraries’ programming is considered just as essential as collections,” said John Solomon, library director.
The Longmont Library has 108,500 active library card holders with over 5,000 new cards issued in 2023.
The Longmont Library doesn’t wait for patrons to find it but engages in outreach efforts. It sent out 142 emails through its newsletter which has a total of 4,096 subscribers.
“It is really amazing what is all accomplished with little means, as far as staff capacity and space and even circulation materials,” said Councilmember Susie Hidalgo-Fahring.
Digital materials at the library continue to increase in popularity. In 2023, 433,477 digital downloads happened through the library which has 223,605 eMaterials and 1.2 million digital circulation items. The library spent around $100,000 on digital materials last year.
