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Our full annual report will be published later this year, but as we wrap up fiscal year 2023-2024, we want to let you know how much we appreciate your support and enthusiasm for all that the Library has to offer. It was truly an extraordinary year here at BALibrary! Take a look at these numbers.
| FISCAL YEAR SERVICE | FY 22-23 | FY 23-24 | INCREASE |
| Library Visits | 208,915 | 268,722 | +29% |
| One-On-One Appointments | 496 | 891 | +80% |
| MakerLab Visits | 8,676 | 12,907 | +49% |
| Study Room Usage | 9,199 | 11,091 | +21% |
| Meeting Room Usage | 667 | 724 | +9% |
| Circulation | 788,394 | 824,100 | +5% |
| Program Attendance | 78,249 | 79,980 | +2% |
And that's only part of the story. We're also meeting or exceeding pre-pandemic numbers in some instances.
Program attendance has more than doubled since FY 2018-2019 (33,864 ⇨ 79,980).
MakerLab visits have more than doubled since FY 2018-2019 (5,968 ⇨ 12,907).
Overall circulation of materials has increased by almost 7% since 2019.
On your recent visits to the Library, you've seen signs of renovation work taking place. New this year or coming soon:
- A brand new, much larger MakerSpace, to accommodate demand.
- Improvements to the Youth Services department, including a Baby Garden, train table, and storage cubbies, as a result of your feedback.
- Water bottle filling stations, also from your feedback.
- Adult computing on the second floor, also from your suggestions.
- Improvements to the audiovisual presentation equipment in the Zimmerman Room.
We're continuously striving to raise the standard and offer you the very best in library service, experiences, and stewardship. Thank you for putting your trust in us and for making the Library a vibrant and vital place in the heart of the community.
We're so excited to tell you about our new 24/7 outdoor pick-up lockers at the Main Library location!
You know how convenient it is to place holds on BALibrary items in our online catalog. Use your Library account to place hold requests, and when the items become available, we contact you to let you know they are ready for pick-up. For holds at the Main Library, you now have the option to choose indoor pick-up during regular Library hours, or 24/7 outdoor pick-up.
Why choose 24/7 outdoor pick-up? The Library is open seven days a week, but sometimes you might need access to your held items during the early morning or late evening hours when the building is closed. There may be times when walking into the Library building to get your items is difficult, whether due to physical challenges, severe weather, or your family's busy lifestyle.
How does 24/7 outdoor pick-up work?
- Search our online catalog for books, movies, and other items.
- When you find something great, click the "Place Request" button.
- Log in with your BALibrary card #/User Name and Password.
- When you are prompted to select a Pickup Location, choose "Barrington Library Lockers" for 24/7 outdoor pick-up. (Prefer indoor pick-up during Library hours? Just select "Barrington Library," as always.)
- When you receive notification that your items are ready for pick-up, head to the lockers in our parking lot. You'll find them near the drive-up book return. After dark, motion-activated LED lighting will light your way!
- Scan your BALibrary card with the scanner, lift the protective cover from the touchscreen, follow the prompts, grab your items, and enjoy your Library materials!
Barcode Scanner
Locker Touchscreen
Questions about our new outdoor pick-up lockers? Stop by, give us a call, email, text, chat - we're here to help!
Tree removal related to the Route 14 underpass project began on Monday, March 18, 2024. This work is taking place on property adjacent to the Library campus and parking lot. Library visitors may notice this work continuing for the next several days. Vehicles and machinery will also be staged in that area. Per the Library’s agreement with IDOT, that land is temporarily owned by IDOT as part of an easement for a period of five years.
Information on the underpass project can be found on the Village website at barrington-il.gov/underpass. A project-specific website is currently under development and will allow individuals to sign up for project updates.
The Outdoor Master Plan survey is now closed. Thank you for your feedback!
The Barrington Area Library is working with Hitchcock Design Group to develop a five-year Outdoor Master Plan, and we want to hear from you!
The Library takes great pride in its park-like setting, gardens, and close connection to other areas of natural beauty, such as Citizens Park and Cuba Marsh. In recent years, the Library has expanded its outdoor offerings, including popular live music performances for children and families, and a Teaching Garden. Given the enthusiastic response to our outdoor programs and spaces, developing an Outdoor Landscape Master Plan is the next step in envisioning how the Library can best utilize our multi-acre property in years to come.
Receiving feedback from community members is an important part of this process. Hitchcock Design has created a simple online survey, where you can share your thoughts about how you've experienced our outdoor spaces in the past, and how you and your household members might use those spaces in the future.
We invite you to read our latest annual report, covering the fiscal year from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and discover the many ways in which BALibrary is better than ever!
From increased book circulation to off-the-charts program attendance and meeting room usage, we're proud that we continue to play a significant and meaningful role in our customer's lives. You'll meet some super-users in our annual report, along with our essential community partners.
"Of course, none of this would be possible without our wonderful community of supporters! If you're a new cardholder - welcome. We're so glad you're here. If you're a long-time cardholder, thank you for your continued support. Let's keep working together to make great things happen here at the Library."
Executive Director Jason Pinshower