: Mason and Nick Beckman enjoy some father and son time at the library’s LEGO Club.

By TERRI RITTER
Public Relations Coordinator, North Webster Community Public Library

The North Webster Community Public Library has been privileged to serve Tippecanoe Township and surrounding communities during the past year. In 2014, over 100,000 persons have walked through our doors. We have circulated over 46,000 books, 2,550 audio books, 37,000 movies, and nearly 2,000 periodicals. In addition, patrons have downloaded 4,200 e-books and audio books. Approximately 9,300 persons participated in more than 481 adult and children’s programs this year.

According to Director Helen Leinbach, the library will continue to offer more programs and activities for all ages in the coming year. “Our surveys indicate that people want to connect with each other as well as to learn and be entertained,” she says. “We will continue to listen carefully to our patrons to understand what resources we need to provide and what our priorities should be.”

Since information is becoming increasingly more mobile and visual, with half of all Americans owning a tablet, e-reader, or smart phone, the library plans to provide more e-books, streaming movies, and music. The library also sees a need for classes on various apps that are available for mobile devices to locate and utilize information faster. Future plans also include developing a media lab with technology for converting slides to digital images and VHS tapes to DVDs.

Leinbach sees public libraries transitioning from centers of information to centers of culture with each local library determining the resources, needs, and priorities of their local communities. With communications systems constantly changing, she predicts that searching will become more complicated and libraries playing a key role in helping patrons develop the skills to maneuver through new innovations in the search world.

The North Webster Community Public Library continues to look to the future in developing programs, services, and materials to meet 21st century needs.

Being part of the statewide Evergreen System enables North Webster card holders to use their library card at any Evergreen library in Indiana including several located in Kosciusko and surrounding counties. With an Evergreen library card, you not only can you check out material from any Evergreen library, you can return that material to any Evergreen library as well.

If you don’t have a library card, make it your New Year’s resolution to get one. Even if you aren’t a cardholder, you can still attend our programs and events. They are open to everyone.

Upcoming Events:

Lose it at the library will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5.
Tuesday’s children’s crafts and stories meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.
The Glean Team begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Make and take cards have a new time at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8.
1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 will be the children’s second Saturday Lego club.