St. Mary’s County Library has announced a year of remarkable growth and community service in its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, available for full review at www.stmalib.org. The library system saw significant increases across various metrics, underscoring its vital role in the community.
In FY2024, the library achieved a milestone with over one million items checked out, totaling 1,039,038. Digital checkouts saw a substantial increase, with 205,153 digital items borrowed—a 22% rise from the previous year. Physical visits also remained strong, with 314,043 patrons walking through the doors of the county’s libraries.
The library hosted more than 1,700 free events, attracting nearly 40,000 attendees, marking a 32% increase in event attendance compared to FY2023. Usage of meeting and study rooms remained high, with 2,008 groups utilizing meeting spaces and 5,212 individuals or groups using study rooms.
Technology access was equally impressive, with nearly 34,000 computer sessions logged and over 20,000 accesses to free WiFi. The Mobile Library continued to extend its reach, making 48 community stops and participating in 156 events, touching the lives of over 9,500 community members.
New services were introduced, including access to The Shelf, offering Spanish language media, and American Mosaic, which provides resources on diverse American cultural experiences. Additionally, SEED Libraries were launched at all three library locations, distributing over 2,500 seed packets to community members.
The library’s infrastructure also saw enhancements. Memory Labs were installed in all three libraries, allowing patrons to convert various media formats into digital files. With the support from Friends of the St. Mary’s County Library, the Lexington Park Library received new shelving to improve accessibility and create space for a future makerspace.
St. Mary’s County Library Director Michael Blackwell commented on the year’s successes, stating, “Fiscal Year 2024 brought many new services and technologies to St. Mary’s County Library, providing even more opportunities for county residents for learning and enjoyment. Our digital collection is even more robust than before, even as we continue to offer the best in new books and our greatest asset: outstanding employees dedicated to excellent customer service.”
Blackwell also expressed gratitude towards the St. Mary’s County Commissioners and the library’s patrons for their ongoing support, which has been integral to the library’s continued success and community impact.
As the library looks ahead, it has laid out a strategic plan to guide its operations and services for the next five years, ensuring that it remains a cornerstone of education, culture, and community engagement in St. Mary’s County.
