HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Everyone is beyond ready to have this COVID-19 mitigation over. The Hutchinson Public Library understands this. Officials released some numbers on Monday to show how COVID has impacted the library.
According to the figures, the library had 344,871 items circulated. In 2020, the number fell to just 201,691. E-Book and audio book downloads did increase as people tried to find ways to use the facility. Those numbers increased in 2020 by more than 21,000 circulations to 55,091.
In response to the stay-at-home order and continued best health practices of avoiding crowded places, the library has increased the digital collection by more than 33% since March.
Since the library reopened in early July, an average of 168 patrons visit the library daily, or about 25 per hour, when open.
Since November, approximately 11 patrons use the Library Material Pick Up Service per day.
About 15 patrons per day are coming into the library for the first time since COVID-19 mitigation began.