Magnolia Springs Public Library calculates highest circulation rate in county

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 8/20/19

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS - The results are in, and Magnolia Springs Public Library came out on top with the highest circulation rate in Baldwin County. Library Director Elise Nodar ran a report through …

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Magnolia Springs Public Library calculates highest circulation rate in county

Posted

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS - The results are in, and Magnolia Springs Public Library came out on top with the highest circulation rate in Baldwin County. Library Director Elise Nodar ran a report through computer software at the beginning of August for results from July 29, 2018 to July 29, 2019 to calculate active borrowers as well as circulation numbers (including checkouts and renewals). The circulation numbers are then divided by the active borrowers, resulting in circulation rates.

“I did the numbers for this last year as well, and we were really, really close but Foley was just a little ahead of us,” Nodar said. “Then I did it again this year, and I thought I was wrong so I did it again. Then we had it backed up by our software company just to make sure that we weren’t completely wrong before advertising this.”

Nodar says there are approximately 200 active borrowers at the library, or people who have checked out books during the past year. They have checked out an average of around 94 books per person, while others are checking out more than the average. On circulation per capita, Magnolia Springs Library comes in first place, followed by Foley Public Library, Daphne Public Library, Spanish Fort Public Library, and Summerdale Public Library in the top five spots.

“We have a really small community but they’re really big readers,” Nodar said. “A lot of people love to have us here because they don’t have to go all the way into the bigger cities for books, so we’re a nice little halfway point and people love our little library. It’s a nice community space, and one of the only places in Magnolia Springs you can just come to and hang out with other people.”

Along with avid readers, the Magnolia Springs Public Library also offers many programs and activities for the community. A three-week summer reading program is held for children each year, with approximately 12 kids attending this year. The program was based on the book The Great Green Turkey Monster by James Flora, and a link was added to the “monster” for each book the children read. The finished product can be viewed spreading across the entire kids’ area ceiling in the library.

Each Thursday cats from Stray Love Foundation are dropped off at the library, allowing patrons to meet and play with the kitties. This is so that people can get to know the different cats available for adoption in a friendly environment, and adoption papers are onsite for anyone looking to leave with a good read and a furry friend. A seed lending library is kept stocked by season and has proven very popular, and fishing poles are available for checkout as well. Periodic story time and crafts are held throughout the year, and each Tuesday the library’s Knitting Group meets to knit and socialize.

“We really appreciate the support of our patrons, we wouldn’t be here without them,” Nodar said. “The numbers definitely show that we are a needed part of the community, and we’re very grateful to them for that. As for me, I have a lot of volunteers that I couldn’t do this without. They’re always here helping run the programs and the kids’ programs, so we have a great team.”

The Magnolia Springs Public Library is located at 12440 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 600. For more information, give them a call at 251-965-2305 or visit their website at www.magnoliaspringslibrary.org.