It’s that time when the library likes to do a recap of all the services, programs, and materials we were able to provide to our patrons during the year. We have also accomplished a lot of projects during 2023 for our patrons that we are very proud of. Welcome to our 2023, year in review!

 

This year, we held 680 programs and events for children, teens, families, and adults. We are so thankful for our patrons who attend our programs. 96 of those programs and events happened outside the library including at places like the Bridgeport Farmer’s Market,

 

Meadowbrook Mall, Bridgeport Schools, and at special events like Light Up Night, National Night Out, and the Summer Kickoff Festival. We love going out and meeting our community where they are!

 

Our patrons made visiting our library part of their routine this year as we had 50,749 visits to our library this year. New patrons also found us as we had 1,245 new library card applications this year. That is 296 more than last year! Don’t forget to tell your friends and family that signing up for a library card is quick, easy, free, and comes with lots of benefits!

 

Our patrons also checked out 85,478 books, audiobooks, DVDs, video games, puzzles, and more from our library this year. The top five most checked-out adult books included Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, Layla by Colleen Hoover, and It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover. The top 5 most checked-out children’s books included The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems, Rowley Jefferson’s Journal by Jeff Kinney, Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls by Dav Pilkey, An Elephant and Piggie Biggie-Biggie Vol. 2 by Mo Willems, and Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties by Dav Pilkey.

 

The library also completed and introduced several projects and services this year including starting our Community Garden and Seed Library, establishing Friends of the Bridgeport Public Library, creating a Teen Space, offering notary services, and acquiring our outreach van.

We want to give a huge thank you to our patrons for supporting us and making it such a great year, and we hope for an even better one next year!