The final pages of 2022 are here, but before we look forward to the new year and new chapter ahead, now is the perfect time to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together as a community.
As of November, you’ve borrowed more than a million items this year! You’ve taken home books and DVDs from our stacks and shelves, and downloaded digital resources like e-books and e-audiobooks to enjoy on your devices or on the go. These borrows also include specialty items from our Library of Things like Launchpads, which are educational tablets for kids, Experience Passes to local attractions and museums, and even board games. We are proud to offer a wide collection of items that community members of all ages can enjoy.
Of all the books and movies in our collection, what were the most popular titles checked out this year? Some are familiar favorites like “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid and others are new releases like “Sparring Partners” by John Grisham. Visit PageAfterPage.org/popular to view the complete list, and then borrow what you might have missed.
In addition to seeing you visit the library to borrow items, we were thrilled to see so many of you attend our programs this year! We kicked off and celebrated Explore Summer together, we welcomed bestselling authors to our Authors at JCPL program series, we learned about the diverse cultures in Johnson County at the Cultural Fair—and so much more. Pick up a quarterly Library Program Guide to find programs to attend for all ages, all year.
The new Clark Pleasant Branch Library building opened early this year, too. Since its grand opening in March, we continually see positive effects and hear how the new building is better serving the Whiteland and New Whiteland areas. One patron mentioned that the new building has reignited their love of reading.
All four JCPL Branches provide comfortable and accessible space for our community to utilize. Our community rooms, study rooms and public spaces have been full this year, and we’ll continue to offer these spaces for people to come to learn, work or read a good book. In 2023, you can look forward to revitalized early childhood play and learn areas, which provide preschoolers with activities to ready them for kindergarten.
This year, we’ve welcomed and introduced thousands of community members to the library by signing them up for library cards, which are the key to unlocking everything the library offers. We invite all Johnson County residents to sign up for a card whether you’re a longtime community member or an elementary student. It’s never too late, or too early, to discover the library. Sign up online at PageAfterPage.org/card.
We look forward to another year of strengthening our community by connecting people, resources and experiences. Turn the page on 2022, and usher in the new year and a new chapter with us at the library.
Mackenzie Steagall is a marketing and communications specialist for Johnson County Public Library. JCPL staff members share in writing this twice-monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
