Lancaster Library report

[Lee Chowaniec]

Lancaster Library Board Treasurer Gary Howell addressed the Lancaster Town Board this past evening to thank the board for their efforts in expanding the parking lot and for providing aid and assistance in updating its operations with the end result of the library coming into the digital age and offering more programs than ever before.

In his report, Howell thanked the board for their time money and effort they put in to improve the library’s operations. He spoke on the parking lot improvement which had seen no expansion or notable upgrade since 1974.

Howell

A few years ago the neighboring property became available for purchase. The town bought and thankfully we have a much larger parking lot. We have a lot of good reasons for the need of a larger parking lot.

Howell then presented the following data on the libraries operation in 2016:

There are 106,000 plus pages in the library

The library circulated a combined 174,000 books and other written materials We had 21,683 computer cycles

The library has WiFi that was accessed 20,433 times

921 programs were attended by a total of 16,265 patrons

All the library board members belong to the Association of Contract Library

We are also one of the few libraries that are open on Sundays during the school year. This year we were open on 36 Sundays and had 5,580 patrons visit, 9,567 books and other materials circulating. The Lancaster Library held a fundraiser and raised enough funds to almost cover the entire expense of the Sunday operation.


Howell went on to thank Council member Matt Walter and Highway Superintendent Dan Amatura for their outstanding cooperation and efforts. Howell declared that Walter was responsible for money savings and Amatura not only in his parking lot improvement efforts but also in his and Parks & Recreation Crew Chief Mark Lubera for their efforts in keeping a 40 year old building in great operational shape.

Howell closed by stating that more people visit the Buffalo and Erie County libraries than the combined attendance of the Buffalo Bills, the Buffalo Sabres, the Buffalo Bisons, and a few other organizational events.

[shortstuff]

Thank you Lee for reporting this piece of information. I'm thrilled that the library has leaped into the 21st Century and is busy.

Howell has done a fine job, Danny Armatura - great job, and Matt's continued dedication overseeing the library's interests is great!