Numbers tell the tale: New Jackson library a self-fulfilling prophecy
The number of people applying for library cards in Jackson County has doubled since the new library opened this summer.
Jackson’s striking increase in library use in part is a testament to just how low use was before. A dismally undersized library, limited programs and a small collection led to abnormally low per capita use at its former location. In fact, Jackson had the lowest circulation per capita and fewer library card holders per capita compared to surrounding counties — and was well under the state average in those benchmark areas.
When planning for a new library began in earnest four years ago, librarians cautioned the county not to put too much stock in the number of past library users as a yardstick for how big the future library should be. New libraries are like self-fulfilling prophecies, with more users suddenly crawling out of the woodworks as soon as its doors open.
So while it’s no surprise that library use has gone up, no one anticipated it would go up by as much as it has.
Jackson’s has gone up by much more than other counties that have recently built new libraries.
• After building new libraries, Macon County saw only a 15 percent increase in the number of people applying for new library cards, Polk saw 12 percent increase and Transylvania County saw 58 percent — nothing close to the 100 percent increase in Jackson.
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• Jackson’s new library has increased by 38 percent in circulation of materials. Compared to Macon’s circulation increase of 17 percent, Transylvania’s by 27 percent and Polk’s by 20 percent.
And, with 28 public computers, computer use is up an amazing 154 percent.
A counter on the front door is also logging a huge increase in the number of library visits. For that stat, Jackson County Head Librarian Dottie Brunette said that it isn’t just people living in Jackson County driving the higher numbers, however, though they obviously are beating a track into the library.
“Daily, we get people in just to look at it,” Brunette said.
Insanely popular
The new Jackson County library in Sylva has seen skyrocketing use since it opened this summer. These numbers tell the tale, comparing use between July and November of this year at the new library compared to the same five months of last year in the old library.
Old New
Items checked out 34,735 48,112
Computer sessions 5,501 14,196
Special programs 78 382
