Library posts annual report

The Library was a lively place in 2009. Adult and youth customers checked out an average of 1090 books, audio books, DVDs and videos every month, for an annual total of 13,050 items. Overall, 2009 circulation was 17 percent over 2008.

Library computer usage also supported local citizens’ personal and economic quality of life as well as small business and the local economy. Computers were used for a wide variety of applications, including e-mail, e-commerce, searching databases and directories, genealogy research, on-line dating services, Facebook, medical research, locating recipes, viewing classified ads, researching grant opportunities, planning vacations, playing computer games, printing boarding passes, filing job applications, creating resumes and on-line tax filing.

Public computer sessions averaged 90 per month. Community members as well as tourists and visitors also used the Library’s free wireless Internet access.

The Summer Reading Program was expanded to include three age groups. Ten volunteers created and staffed weekly programs, activities and treats. Local businesses, civic organizations and individuals contributed nearly $1000 to support the program. Donations were used to purchase books for prizes. Kids were highly motivated to read in order to get books of their own to take home.

Library customers also made use of the interlibrary loan agreement to borrow books not held in Cathlamet from the Longview Public Library. In 2009, Longview loaned about 150 books to Cathlamet residents, coordinated through the local Library.

The Library is the only local public source for bulk tax forms and instruction booklets. Specialized forms were also downloaded and printed from the IRS Web site. In addition, some customers filed their taxes electronically using Library computers.

Many new book, movie and magazine purchases were the result of customer suggestions. Over 50 percent savings in the book and movie budget resulted from buying used and discounted materials as well as from items donated by individuals. Strong volunteer involvement in running the Library resulted in the equivalent of over $35,000 in donated labor, an average of 155-hours per month.

Volunteers performed a wide variety of critical jobs including processing new books and DVD’s, checking-out materials, shelving, labeling and organizing Library materials as well as supporting special programs such as Summer Reading, Tangled Roots Genealogy Club and outreach to Columbia View Care Center.

The Washington State Library awarded Cathlamet Public Library a Washington Rural Heritage grant that will result in hundreds of historically significant Wahkiakum County photos being digitized and added to the Washington Rural Heritage collection, available on-line, to anyone, anywhere at any time. That project will be completed in the Fall of 2010.

Starting in October, Saturday hours were tested for a three month period. Customer response was enthusiastic. Those hours will become part of the permanent schedule in 2010.

In late December, Library customers received the gift of a beautiful view of the river and downtown when the wall between the Library and an old Fire Department room was removed.

Cathlamet Public Library is located at 100 Main Street, above Town Hall and the old fire house. Call 795-3254 for Library hours and additional information.