Circulation up 22 percent at Henderson libraries

By Erin Dostal

Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 | 12:30 p.m.

Henderson Public Libraries circulated about 1.85 million books during the 2010 fiscal year –- a 22 percent increase from 2009.

“I think it’s the general economy,” said Tom Fay, executive director of Henderson Libraries. “More and more people are finding out what we have to offer.”

Amidst the worst recession in Nevada’s history, public libraries –- which provide mostly free services –- have been in greater demand.

Henderson’s Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, had the highest circulation with 873,060 items. Green Valley Library, 2797 N. Green Valley Parkway, processed the second-most items with 433,731, library officials said.

Circulation at Henderson Libraries was up despite the fact that the James I. Gibson library branch had to close for two months while it was being relocated to 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway from its former location on Water Street, officials said.

Therese Lamb, assistant branch manager for the Gibson Library, said the new library has been popular with patrons. On most days, she said, there are times when the location’s computer lab is full.

“It’s been pretty steady and it’s been steadily increasing,” Lamb said of attendance at her location. “We were surprised how quickly it picked up.”

Fay said that with the July 7 opening of the new Gibson Library location and current trends, he expects total circulation to top 2 million items by the end of fiscal year 2011.