BY CAMI KOONS
The Eudora Public Library showed a 5% increase from 2018 to 2019 in its state-reported visit numbers.
The library reported 48,011 visits in 2019, an increase of 2,286 from 2018, which saw 45,725 visits.
This trend coincides with a recent Gallup Poll that found Americans visit public libraries almost twice as often as they go to the movies. Assistant director Alisha Whitis said people keep coming to the library because of the sense of community.
“We want the community to know that we’re here for them,” Whitis said. “We’re more of a family.”
Patrons do more than just chat and read when they stop by the library. One wall is filled completely with DVDs, American Girl dolls line the window, and markers and crayons sit on the tables, ready to be used.
Whitis said movies are checked out frequently because people watch them quickly and come back for more. She said books are still checked out often, but the library has expanded its other services significantly since she started working there in 2008.
“Anything the community wants, we want to try and provide it,” Whitis said.
Library patron Rose Lawson searched through the collection of DVDs because she said the library has a better movie selection than what she can find on TV.
“They’re wonderful,” Lawson said. “It’s the nicest little library, and if they don’t have it, they’ll get it.”
Whitis said the library also provides people with a space to search the internet and use other products and services for free. She said she knows families who frequent the library by name.
Janet Muggy said she comes into the library to use the printer. Muggy said she also donates used books and brings her grandson to library events when he is in town.
Circulation Librarian George Speed said he thinks the library is important because “it gives, especially kids around here, somewhere to come. It gives them something to do and keep out of trouble.”
“We’re beyond just a building for people to check books out,” Whitis said. “When they come in, we want them to feel like it’s home.”
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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