Annual Reports
FY24 Annual Report
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 75,678 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 21,632 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,187 |
Hills (by contract) | 910 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,336 |
SERVICE AREA | 100,743 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 202,335 |
Non-print Materials | 56,751 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 4,139 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 156 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 260,112 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 40,209 |
Circulation | 1,210,569 |
Visits to the Library | 526,659 |
Information Requests | 45,961 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 35,027 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,281 |
FY23 Annual Report
As I reflect on fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023), I am immensely grateful for the diverse ways in which the community engages with our library. Whether you checked out one or more of the 1,252,860 items that circulated this year, were among the 475,444 visitors to the downtown library or one of the 17,089 visitors to the Bookmobile, received one of the 2,174 at-home packages sent out into the community, asked one of the 25,051 reference questions our expert staff assisted with, accessed one of the 300,259 media downloads made during the year, or attended one of the 944 programs offered for children, teens, and adults, your participation contributes significantly to ICPL's success. Thank you for being an essential part of our library community!
Fiscal year 2023 marked the closure of the 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, which was designed around three priorities: recovery and renewal following the COVID-19 closure, focus on community aspirations, and resource management. Progress throughout this plan demonstrated ICPL’s commitment to intellectual freedom and access, dedication to process improvement, and enthusiasm for trying new things. It was inspiring to witness the ways in which library staff brought the strategic plan to life, and I am immensely proud of the work that was accomplished across all departments.
We implemented a new strategic plan in July 2023. This plan is anchored by four goals that will guide our work for the next three years and was crafted by a staff committee with significant input from the community. The four goals are access, framed as providing equitable opportunities for all people to connect with the resources and services they want and need; communication, with a specific focus on effectively sharing information and seeking feedback from our community; education, with the purpose of championing lifelong learning; and staff wellbeing, which recognizes that staff are our greatest resource and celebrates that each employee has distinct skills, needs, and aspirations. I am genuinely excited to amplify these initiatives and engage with our users in new ways. Special thanks to all community members who participated in a strategic plan focus group, completed a survey, or provided other input into our process, and to library staff who served on the strategic planning committee or contributed to that group’s work.
Thank you for making fiscal year 2023 a remarkable one! I look forward to seeing you soon.
In appreciation,
Elsworth Carman (he/him/his)
Director, Iowa City Public Library
elsworth-carman@icpl.org
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 74,596 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 22,037 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,229 |
Hills (by contract) | 902 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,355 |
SERVICE AREA |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 199,398 |
Non-print Materials | 58,095 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 4,258 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 153 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 261,904 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 42,343 |
Circulation | 1,252,860 |
Visits to the Library | 492,533 |
Information Requests | 59,425 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 25,387 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,073 |
Financials
FY22 Annual Report
Recent Accomplishments
- Expanded Fine Free Policy to all library collections
- Partnered with the City of Iowa City to add handrails to the west building entrance
- Reaccredited as a Tier 3 library through the State Library of Iowa
- Celebrated the 125th University of the Iowa City Public Library
- Library Board of Trustees crafted a statement in support of Intellectual Freedom on behalf of the Library
- Established new ways for the library and community to communicate by recording Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees meetings
- Resumed pre-COVID library hours and reopened the library building to patrons
Upcoming Challenges
- Complete the goals of the current Strategic Plan
- Develop a new Strategic Plan that reflects the needs of the Iowa City Community
- Welcome a new Coordinator for the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation
- Protect and celebrate the Freedom to Read and Intellectual Freedom
Director’s Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2022 was a year of coming back together after the COVID-19 closure, finding new ways to increase access to library services, and seeking opportunities to support library staff.
In the first month of FY2022, we returned to full, in-person library services after over a year of modified access. It was delightful to engage in the process of re-norming after such a long time of limited interaction, and both staff and patrons did an impressive job of acclimating to a new kind of ordinary time. I am enormously thankful for the resiliency and flexibility that was demonstrated by the ICPL community throughout the COVID closure and reopening process. Thank you!
In addition to increasing our programming back to pre-pandemic levels (we offered 230 adult programs, 176 teen programs, and 542 children’s programs throughout the year), we circulated 1,249,698 items and helped patrons find the answers to over 19,600 reference questions. We also completed a number of projects focused on connecting with patrons in new ways, including extending the fine-free model to all library collections, designing and implementing a volunteer-staffed Welcome Desk on the first floor of the downtown library, and providing active bookmobile service at every Saturday Farmers Market in downtown Iowa City. We enhanced our physical space by updating public restroom fixtures and collaborating with the City of Iowa City to install handrails outside the west entrance doors.
We were proud to implement some new amenities for library staff, as well, as we all readjusted to serving the community in person. These included updating the staff lounge, creating a new staff mental health space, offering all employees access to a mindfulness app, and providing the opportunity to include personal pronouns on ICPL name badges.
Thank you for being part of the Iowa City Public Library community and for helping us make FY22 a great year!
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City 74,828 | |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) 21,884 | |
University Heights (by contract) 1,159 | |
Hills (by contract) 863 | |
Lone Tree (by contract) 1,357 | |
SERVICE AREA |
Collections
Books/eBooks 200,177 | |
Non-print Materials 55,848 | |
Print and Electronic Reference 4,431 | |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions 48 | |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE 260,604 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders 45,755 | |
Circulation 1,249,698 | |
Visits to the Library 375,939 | |
Information Requests 85,178 | |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room 19,226 | |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use 733 |
Financials
FY21 Annual Report
Recent Accomplishments
- Prioritized public health and safety in designing and delivering library services during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Established new recruiting and hiring practices to reduce barriers to establishing a workplace reflective of the community served
- Supported Friends’ Foundation volunteers and the Development Office staff in exploration and adoption of Sustainable Investing Practices in order to grow Foundation investments
- Continued to craft new ways for the community and the Library to communicate—including dynamic options for “browsing” the shelves remotely, an enhanced app, and the ability to contact the Director for comments and feedback via text message
- Responded to direct community feedback by making multiple new electronic resources—including two learning-based tools: Creativebug (craft video tutorials) and LinkedIn Learning (creative, business, and technology training tutorials)—available to the public
- Utilized the Bookmobile as a community hotspot and information hub following the derecho
- Developed and offered a variety of community programs and historical reflections in celebration of Iowa City Public Library’s 125th Anniversary
Upcoming Challenges
- Continue to collect data related t effects of the provisional all-collections Fine Free Policy, while actively engaging with City management around aspirations to implement this policy at the beginning of FY23
- Seek new funds, or reallocate budgeted funds, to expand staff learning opportunities
- Measure resources allocated to programming, outreach, and collections for and with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- Create a programming infrastructure for community-led, library-funded programs, with an emphasis on historically excluded, marginalized, and oppressed populations
- Engage the community in dialog pertaining to their aspirations for Iowa City Public Library; including discussions about service hours, using multiple information-gathering tools and opportunities for opinion-sharing
- Continue to celebrate Iowa City Public Library’s 125th Anniversary with programs, events, and displays
Quick Facts
Financials
FY20 Annual Report
Highlights
- Launched the AIM Card for local students to access library materials
- Initiated events and services in response to Equity Toolkit work
- Started a Diversity Audit of the YA fiction collection
- Closed the building due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Staff transitioned to working from home
- Developed a curbside pickup model to lend materials while the building was closed
- Developed a three-year strategic plan
Quick Facts
Financials
FY19 Annual Report
Highlights
- AIM Card for Students
- Fine Free Children's and Teen Materials
- Strategic Planning
- Susan retired from being Director
- Elsworth became the new Director
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 78,214 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 22,523 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,125 |
Hills (by contract) | 806 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,408 |
Service Area | 104,076 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 194,020 |
Non-print Materials | 52,698 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 4,656 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 292 |
Total Collection Size | 251,666 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 52,872 |
Circulation | 1,292,526 |
Visits to the Library | 676,237 |
Information Requests | 43,735 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 45,486 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,461 |
Financials
FY18 Annual Report
Highlights:
- Opened Digital Media Lab
- Protecting Privacy & Confidentiality
- Full year of Bookmobile service
- Programming sets records
- Director announces retirement/search begins
It was another busy year at ICPL. Record numbers of people attended library programs, the bookmobile is now a common sight around Iowa City, and the building and web site have some new looks. Less visible achievements include revamping and improving our privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures, conducting a user survey, and keeping collections current. We are now three years into our strategic plan and staff continue to connect people with information and offer opportunities for enjoyment and personal growth; engage people in discovery, learning and community; and enrich the quality of life in Iowa City through diversity, imagination, and creativity.
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 73,415 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 22,523 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,125 |
Hills (by contract) | 806 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,408 |
SERVICE AREA | 99,277 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 193,572 |
Non-print Materials | 67,898 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 4,589 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 392 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 266,451 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 57,601 |
Circulation | 1,266,305 |
Visits to the Library | 731,103 |
Information Requests | 44,743 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 49,274 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,562 |
Financials
FY17 Annual Report
Highlights:
- Bookmobile hits the streets
- Enhanced virtual branch features
- Friends Foundation is 25 years old
- Bathroom security cameras outlawed by State Legislature
The word for the year was “Bookmobile” – planning, planning, planning, training, training, training, doing, doing, doing. As big a project as the bookmobile is though, it is only a relatively small component of what makes us the busiest public library in Iowa. This year we offered a great diversity of programming and collections, made significant improvements in how we use technology to deliver information and serve our community, began a year-long celebration to mark the impact of the Friends Foundation’s 25 years of support, and faced some challenges to offering a safe and secure environment.
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 73,415 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 22,523 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,125 |
Hills (by contract) | 806 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,408 |
SERVICE AREA | 99,277 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 188,701 |
Non-print Materials | 49,949 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 3,057 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 400 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 242,107 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 61,117 |
Circulation | 1,307,140 |
Visits to the Library | 797,017 |
Information Requests | 42,360 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 41,514 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,497 |
Financials
FY16 Annual Report
- Bookmobile Service approved/planning begins
- Music-is-the-Word programming
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten begins
- Digital Johnson County cooperative launched
- Circulating laptops
Reviewing the highlights of the year just ended, I think it’s evident that the new strategic plan provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at traditional services. Libraries, like all service organizations across the country, are focusing on the customer in new ways. Locally, we are working hard to connect, engage and enrich the lives of the people we serve. I have worked in libraries for decades and one of the things that I love about them is the mutual support they provide and the collaboration in which they engage. In our community, it’s not just libraries, but many other organizations that all work jointly toward the common good. Looking ahead to bookmobile service, continued growth of Digital Johnson County, great programs with new and old partners, reaching out to vulnerable populations, and being more proactive about capturing local history, I feel we are being responsive to our community. I’m looking forward to it.
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 73,415 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 22,523 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,125 |
Hills (by contract) | 806 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,408 |
SERVICE AREA | 99,277 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 187,190 |
Non-print Materials | 48,519 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 3,970 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 432 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 240,111 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 64,111 |
Circulation | 1,369,069 |
Visits to the Library | 789,919 |
Information Requests | 45,613 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 26,179 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,642 |
Financials
FY15 Annual Report
The Library's 2015 fiscal year saw an all-time high for number of visits. 826,217 people entered our doors – more than 2,200 people every day. This increase was reflected in program attendance, which also reached record numbers at all levels: children's, teens and adults.
Connect-Engage-Enrich: Library patrons will see these words often in the coming years, as they are the focus of our new strategic plan, approved in July by the Library Board of Trustees. The Library will focus on ways to:
- Connect people with information and offer opportunities for enjoyment and personal growth.
- Engage people in discovery, learning and the community.
- Enrich the quality of life in Iowa City through diversity, imagination and creativity.
Collaboration is one of the values highlighted in the strategic plan, with partnerships playing significant role in library activities. Digital Johnson County, a sharing agreement with Coralville Public Library and North Liberty Community Library that combines all of our eBook and digital audiobook collections, is our most recent partnership. Residents of all three communities and all of our contracting areas have access to the same electronic collections.
Several changes were implemented last year to connect people with materials faster, including increasing the number of holds a person can have from eight to ten. This, combined with the ability of patrons to reserve items currently on the shelves, accounts for a ten percent increase in holds overall.
One patron championed the change because it is challenging to browse when she visits the library with her young children. "I really appreciate being able to pick books up at the front so I don’t disturb other people. This service you offer makes my life so much better and easier."
Thank you for another great year, and we hope ICPL continues to help CONNECT you with the information and resources that ENGAGE and ENRICH your life.
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 73,415 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 22,523 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,125 |
Hills (by contract) | 806 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,408 |
SERVICE AREA | 99,277 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 187,190 |
Non-print Materials | 48,519 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 3,970 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 432 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 240,111 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 64,957 |
Circulation | 1,391,482 |
Visits to the Library | 826,217 |
Information Requests | 45,510 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 28,337 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,508 |
Reports
FY14 Annual Report
The Library's 2014 fiscal year ended June 30, and the numbers show another busy year.
Many positive comments have been received about the completion of the Library's "facelift," a two-year project to make improvements throughout the building.
The new Koza Family Teen Center on the second floor has attracted many new teens to programming and other events just for them. If you or family members are in 7th through 12th grades, be sure to stop by during special after-school hours to check out whats happening.
The renovation project also saw improvements in the Ellen Buchanan Children's Room where child-oriented technology advancements - including our Library's first interactive touch table - were provided. We thank local software developers created innovative software for the table. Their work continues this year in an effort to keep the Library's young patrons learning while playing.
The improvements made possible by the remodeling project would not have been so significant without your generous charitable contributions. Thank you for your increased support of two fundraising events. Donations topped $17,000 for the second annual Library Links Golf Classic and the Arts & Crafts Bazaar.
The importance of summer reading programs is receiving new attention both nationally and locally. Our community responded with record participation by all ages - babies, children, teens, and adults. For the first time, we partnered with two other libraries that serve students in the Iowa City Community School District, Coralville and North Liberty, to track registrations by school. A grant from the United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties helped us provide weekly programming at Iowa City Neighborhood Centers this summer.
The use of library collections remains strong. Although circulation of some traditional collections is down, electronic collections saw an 18 percent increase. Many people know what they want and appreciate the convenience of placing holds electronically anytime. The number of reserves placed is up 15 percent.
Quick Facts
Population Served
Iowa City | 67,862 |
Rural Johnson County (by contract) | 31,343 |
University Heights (by contract) | 1,051 |
Hills (by contract) | 703 |
Lone Tree (by contract) | 1,309 |
SERVICE AREA | 102,268 |
Collections
Books/eBooks | 193,531 |
Non-print Materials | 53,993 |
Print and Electronic Reference | 3,998 |
Periodicals, Newspapers & e-subscriptions | 375 |
TOTAL COLLECTION SIZE | 251,837 |
Annual Usership Figures
Cardholders | 66,403 |
Circulation | 1,406,995 |
Visits to the Library | 710,595 |
Information Requests | 76,415 |
Program Attendance in Meeting Room | 28,392 |
Non-Library Meeting Room Use | 1,508 |