Year End - New Year

As I write this article, it is Christmas Eve. I am fortunate to be with my family at this time. It is a blessing to be around family and friends at this time of year.

Reflecting on the past year, it has also been a very successful year for the Library System. The Library will once again have a record circulation total for the year. Circulation will top 700,000 items by the end of the month. It is a nice validation of our collection purchasing plan that our use continues to increase each year.

We have also been lucky to be able to add a number of electronic services to our offerings such Lexis/Nexis, Downloadable Audio books from Ingram, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. Taking advantage of electronic services allow the Library System to be open 24/7. The staff of the library promised to continue to look for new ways to provide what you want and to make it available in the most convenient ways.

In the coming weeks, we will have a wonder addition to Adams County Library System. The residents of Littlestown have really worked hard to provide a permanent space for the Littlestown Library. After three years of searching, fundraising and hard work, the new Library is soon ready to open. This is another highlight of the past year and a wonderful move forward for the decade to come.

The year began with some fairly difficult times for the Library System. The loss of a number of state initiatives and close to a 25% cut of our state funding hampered some of the goals that we had hoped to achieve this year. But, the staff of the library really worked hard to make sure that our service did not suffer. I thank them for all of their hard work.

On behalf of all the staff and volunteers of the Adams County Library System, I wish everyone a very Happy New Year and wish for a healthy and successful 2011 to everyone who calls Adams County their home.