Published: October 21, 2009 06:05 pm      

Greenup County library enjoying record numbers

GREENUP — Dorothy K. Griffith takes a risk if she decides to move her car during her lunch break.

Griffith, director of the Greenup County Public Library, takes the risk she will lose her parking space because of the record-breaking crowds the library has been attracting.

Greenup County Public Libraries had a record-setting month in September, with the most patron use of the library in its history.

Total circulation of all materials for September was 21,188.

The Flatwoods branch recorded a total 8,230; the Greenup site recorded a total 5,658; the McKell site recorded a total 4,489; and the bookmobile recorded a total 2,811.

Meetings by groups break down like this:

-Greenup — 37 meetings; 344 total attendance

-Flatwoods — 38 meetings; 379 total attendance

-McKell — 10; 195 total attendance

Griffith has a simple explanation for the influx of patrons.

“We’re having more traffic because people just don’t have the money for entertainment and they check out books,” she said, adding the library also offers movies for rent.

The statistics include the use of in-house, public computers, which was 3,648. The genealogy room use was recorded at 4,510 patrons and 18,065 copies or faxes were recorded for the month.

The door count of patrons visiting the library showed:

‰3,329 at Greenup

‰5,075 at Flatwoods

‰1,920 at McKell

Griffith said in September, the library showed Andy Griffith movies and television programs, which are popular with most of the public. This month’s movies will be Disney-made films.

“Records of circulation are showing each month surpassing the previous one,” Griffith said in a press release.

“That has been going on all summer long,” she added. “It’s just been that way and, of course, we do have some summer reading programs for children while they’re out of school, but just everyone is coming to the library, even during the time of day when the kids are in school.”

The only drawback is the increased traffic means there’s an increased threat of flu.

“We’re preparing for it,” she said. “We all have our hand sanitizer out.”

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.