April 6 - 12 is National Library Week, a time to celebrate libraries and library staff, and the services that they provide.  There are many ways to tell the story of the impact of a library on the community.  It could be the story of the man who used library computers to create a resume and apply for jobs, the woman who used library books to learn how to write the business plan that led to the creation of her small business, or the child who excelled in kindergarten because she attended storytime and listened to books throughout her young life.  One of the easiest ways to convey the library’s value is through data about how our libraries are used.  Here are a few statistics about Fort Smith Public Library use in 2024 that help tell the story of the library’s impact.

310,798 – the number of print books, magazines, audiobooks, and DVDs checked out

67,835 – the number of eBooks and digital audiobooks checked out from Overdrive/Libby

5,806 – the number of books borrowed from or loaned to other libraries through Interlibrary Loan

213,978 – the number of people who came through the doors of one of the four FSPL locations

4,433 – the number of new library cards issued to Fort Smith residents and non-residents

153,418 – the number of questions library staff answered

1,329 – the number of meetings held in the FSPL’s free meeting rooms

44,243 – the number of children, teens, and adults who attended a library program

63.7% -- the increase in the use of hoopla compared to 2023

594% -- the increase in the use of TumbleBooks eBooks for children compared to 2023

14 – the number of countries from which people logged into the digitized Fort Smith newspaper archives

6,205 – the number of times FSPL cardholders accessed the digital New York Times for free through the FSPL’s subscription

2,397 – the number of low-cost notary public services that library notaries performed

These statistics provide a snapshot of the many ways our libraries are used and the myriad resources and services we offer.  Do any of these numbers surprise you?  How did you use the library in 2024?  Whether it’s physically in one of our library buildings or virtually online, we hope to see you included in our 2025 statistics!