2024 - A Year in Review by hallcountylibrarysystem

DIRECTORS MESSAGE

2024 has been another busy and exciting year for the Hall County Library System! HCLS continues to strive to offer improved services and facilities to meet the needs of our community.

This past year, we were able to add three new study rooms to the Spout Springs Library, doubling our capacity for this in demand amenity. Major renovations were completed at the Blackshear Place Library, a process that began in 2023.

HCLS increased our capacity to offer notary services to all branch libraries and made available an appointment tool so patrons can ensure a staff member is available to assist them with this valuable service. HCLS also added a new e-book tool called The Palace Project, which was developed by librarians specifically for libraries. This new product contributed to a whopping 40% increase in e-material circulation and an overall 9% increase in library checkouts. We are especially pleased that The Palace Project allows users to search multiple tools simultaneously (including LIBBY) and offers libraries the ability to purchase more copies of many bestselling titles at a more affordable price.

We look ahead to 2025 knowing that more exciting developments are coming to our community, including the construction of the new East Hall Library. In the meantime, please visit one of our branches soon to see what we have to offer.

Lisa MacKinney Library Director

lmackinney@hallcountylibrary.org

SERVING HALL COUNTY

m provides ns, mobile members.

EAST HALL

Exciting news for East Hall! The Hall County Library System is expanding, bringing library services to the East Hall Community Center soon.

STRATEGIC PLAN

2023 - 2027

StrategicPlan 2023-2027

BuildStaff Capacity

Thankstoour2023StrategicPlanningCommittee: KatieCrumley,AssistantHallCountyAdministrator,Hall CountyGovernment;RuthBruner,FriendsoftheHallCounty LibraryPresident;KillianEdwards,HallCountyLibraryBoard Chair;StaffrepresentativeYuryCarmona;Facilitator

GeorgiaPublicLibrary

Targetmarketingand engagementtomedia platformsandusers. Expandmultilingual resourcesandprogramming. Provideconsistentuser experienceacrossall locations. Welcomecommunityinto repurposed,replenished, anddynamicspaces.

Providelibraryservices outsideoftraditionalhours andbuildings. Expandanddiversify outreachinthecommunity topromotethefullrangeof libraryservicesand resources. Craftflexible,outside spaces. Enhancedigitalresources, services,andprogramming. Exploredata-drivendecision makingtoevaluateservices andresourcestomaximize impactwithminimalcost. Developcommunitypartners forfutureprojectsand possiblegrantfunding. Buildcustomerserviceasa corecommitmentforstaffat alllevels. Broadenexistinghuman resourcesprogramtoemploy, train,andretainhigh-quality staff.

BY THE NUMBERS

653,778 items were checked out totaling a 9% increase from last year

290,687 people visited the library in person and 230,021 visited online

HCLS had a total of 1,848 programs that saw 38,252 attendees

Patrons spent a total of 1,477,099 minutes on library computers

Hall County Library cardholders downloaded a total of 156,853 digital items

HCLS saw a whopping 40% increase in downloadable item checkouts. If library materials checked out this year were purchased by users, the cost would exceed 13 million dollars!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Enhanced Learning Spaces at Spout Springs:

To better serve the growing needs of students and remote workers, the Spout Springs Library unveiled three brand-new study rooms, providing dedicated and quiet spaces for focused work and collaborative projects.

Digital Resource Surge:

Reflecting the community's increasing appetite for digital content, e-material circulation experienced a remarkable 50% increase, demonstrating the library's successful adaptation to modern reading and learning habits.

Honoring Dedication: Staff member Troy Young's commitment to library service was recognized with the Kathy Gailey Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the s .

Children's Library: In a heartfelt tribute to the late Kathy Gailey, a beloved library board member and dedicated educator, the North Hall children's library was officially renamed the Kathy Gailey Children's Library, ensuring her passion for literacy lives on.

Statewide

Recognition: Lydia Hahne, Library Employee of the Year: Lydia Hahne, a valued member of the Hall County Library System for many years, received the esteemed Library Employee of the Year award from the state library, celebrating her exceptional service and dedication to the community.

Expanded Digital Access: The Palace Project:

The library expanded its digital offerings with the introduction of The Palace Project, a new e-book platform providing patrons with an even wider selection of digital resources and seamless access to online content.

Combating Food Insecurity: Summer Lunch

Expansion: The library's commitment to community well-being was further demonstrated by the expansion of its summer lunch program in partnership with Hall County Schools, now including the Blackshear Place Library alongside the Gainesville Library, ensuring more children have access to nutritious meals during the summer months.

STATEMENTS OF IMPACT:

FROMOURCOMMUNITY

I appreciate all Hall County Libraries. They are my refuge to relax or read in a comfortable environment.

Public libraries serve all the people –young, old, different cultures and ethnicities, rich and poor. Libraries are vital to our daily lives and must support and protect future generations.

My family and I enjoy the library every week, the checkers, crafts and puzzles are amazing bonding time. We enjoy the quiet family time and look forward to visiting.

I always love coming to the library and am greeted by friendly staff. I love being able to get materials from all over Georgia through PINES.

Staff are always kind and helpful. Branches are clean and well organized. Thank you for the services you provide for our community!

Thank you for all that you do to make our community special!

OUTREACH

OUTANDABOUTINHALLCOUNTY

Outreach at the Hall County Library System is about building connections and empowering our community. We go where the community is, providing access to books, technology, and information that can change lives. Through strategic partnerships and targeted programs, we strive to break down barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive with the Hall County Library.

In 2024, the Hall County Library deepened its commitment to serving all members of our community by establishing a presence at Clean Start's Friday Hands Up event. This vital initiative, organized in partnership with Street Exit, provides essential resources to our unhoused neighbors, including hot showers, meals, and crucial service provider connections. Our library team is proud to contribute by offering access to library resources, information, and a friendly face, fostering connections and extending the library's reach beyond our traditional walls. We believe in the power of information and community, and we are dedicated to bringing those resources to everyone in Hall County.