ANNUAL REPORT 2024
IDEAS LIVE HERE.
Preparing the Annual Report is always hectic, but it’s rewarding to see the data reflect the daily impact of our library. Behind every number is a story— children laughing at storytime, adults learning sign language, teens connecting over laser tag in the library, and families reading together. Each statistic represents a meaningful experience. Reviewing the data helps us celebrate successes from 2024 and identify areas to grow in 2025. We remain committed to community-focused planning and providing access to programs and materials that reflect community needs. We also strive to be good stewards of public funds, ensuring that our expenditures are centered upon providing a first-rate library experience. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, board, partners, and especially our community—your support gives our work purpose.
Melissa Loiselle, Library Director
Mission
To be our community’s essential connector to information and ideas.
Board of Trustees
Andre Miksha - President
Kim Logan - Vice-President
Vision
A connected library in a connected community.
Susan Crandall - Secretary
Beth Sheller - Assistant Treasurer
Bill Kenley - Board Member
Craig Siebe - Board Member
Michelle Payne - Board Member
Library Strategic Priorities
Access
People will find appealing and accessible library materials, spaces, and services they need and want.
Community
Everyone is welcome in the library and will find people, resources, and services that reflect a broad range of individual interests and needs.
Capacity
The Library will expand to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse and growing community.
By the Numbers
Total Operating Local Government Revenue
$10,822,135 Total Operating Expenditure $10,650,850 Operating Tax Rate .0313
2,294,067 physical/electronic item checkouts
26 average number of items checked out per cardholder
47,887 program attendees
41,214 reference questions
89,529 cardholders
32,975 computer sessions
1,698 programs
683,085 website visits
Promoting Literacy
In 2024, the Youth Services department provided 657 early literacy programs (for ages 0-5) with 29,919 people in attendance! Programs include: Messy Munchkins, Tot Tunes, Pre-K Explorers, Storytime, and Babytime.
We had record numbers of registrations for our annual Winter Reading Challenge. 1,141 patrons registered for the challenge and 757 completed it, earning a coveted pair of Solar Eclipse glasses!
In February, we hosted two author visits, Saadia Faruqi at Fishers and Bethany Barton at Noblesville. Families were treated to wonderful presentations about writing and what it takes to become an author. Both authors signed and personalized books for children and their families provided by our vendors Kids Ink and LoudMouth Books.
29,919 early literacy program attendees
Summer Reading
7,586 community members registered as readers for our summer reading program Adventure Begins At Your Library, with 3,156 people completing the program! This is a 16% increase in total registrations and a 17% increase in completions from the previous year! And summer reading isn’t just for kids! We had 2,070 adults register, with 881 completions.
On top of our regularly scheduled programs, we had many special options for families to choose from! Highlights include: A Summer Reading Kick-off in Fishers, Family Camp-In after hours in Noblesville, Interactive Oregon Trail program in Fishers, and much much more.
In 2024, our summer reading prizes were about going on an adventure, which inclu drawstring bags, magnifying glasses, binoculars, dry bags, and a book for kid and teens.
17% increase in program completions
Engaging Community
We're pleased to continually expand our services as we seek to be present where our community gathers. In 2024, the library participated in 110 outreach events, reaching 25,014 people. We were excited to introduce our new outreach van featuring a wrap from local designers the Wilkinson Brothers. We now have microlibary collections at 5 assisted living facilities, and we served 88 home delivery patrons. We’re also grateful for the strong support of the Seed Library in our communities. We checked out 78,101 packets of seeds in 2024!
14% increase in checked out seed packets
Embracing Creativity
Through a generous grant from the Fishers Arts and Culture Commission, Indiana artist Regan M. Zerwig created a sitespecific mural, Ignition of Color, in the North entrance area of the Fishers Library. We also commissioned Knowledge, by Rude Calderón in collaboration with Roberto Delgado (tiles). This acquisition was made possible via a cooperative effort between HEPL and local arts partners. Along with many other educational programs, the Ignite Studio held its first annual Fishers Make-Off this year, where artists competed to complete a work of art in one day. The Ignite Studio continues to grow, seeing a record number of visitors each year! +7,167 Ignite Studio patrons
Remembering History
The Crossroads Discovery Center celebrated it’s Grand Opening in June, welcoming everyone to explore exhibits highlighting local history and genealogy, the Indiana Room collection, and expanded digital media labs. We were thrilled that the Indiana Historical Society selected the Crossroads Discovery Center to receive the 2024 Outstanding Collaborative Project Award for our exhibits developed with help from our community partners. Also, in October, we held Family History Day, a full day conference of genealogy programs with 73 attending and expanding their knowledge and research abilities.
10
324 people attended history programs
Local Author Fair
HEPL hosted its annual Local Author Fair, an open-house style event showcasing nearly 60 local authors and literary organizations at the FORUM Events Center. This event connects our community of readers with debut and seasoned local authors alike, and many authors commented afterwards that they had sold many books and made meaningful connections in their conversations with other authors and fairgoers. Earlier in the day, the Fishers Library hosted concurrent workshops to help authors of all ages hone their writing skills in poetry, character development, and editing.
380 attendees
Library Card Sign-Up Month
In September, we celebrated Library Card Sign-Up Month through our “Show Your Card and Save” campaign, where we partnered with several local businesses that offered special deals, just for showing your library card. Throughout the month, we featured many unique ways that library cards could be used and hosted two signature “Party in the Plaza” card sign-up events. Through the power of community partnerships, we registered 791 new library cards and had 820 renewals, all within September.
17% increase in library card registrations
Introducing LibraryCon!
Over 1,000 people visited the Fishers Library to enjoy the first annual LibraryCon! Over 25 artists, vendors, and community/musical groups participated to create a celebration of fandom and geeky goodness for all to enjoy. A variety of sessions and activities were offered featuring trivia, crafting, gaming, dancing, robots, and more. Highlights included the Cosplay Contest, fandom concerts, food stations, the artist and vendor marketplace, and the Random Fandom art exhibit. This all-ages event was a huge success!
1,000+ attendees
Investing in Our Future
We’re beyond excited about the completion of renovations at the library—a refreshed space designed to better serve our community today and for years to come. These improvements represent a meaningful investment in the future, creating a more welcoming, functional, and inclusive environment for learning, collaboration, and discovery. In addition to our spaces, we launched our redesigned website and app, ensuring that the library remains a vital resource that adapts to changing needs while continuing to inspire curiosity
Launching Our Foundation
This year, Hamilton East Public Library began groundwork to launch our Foundation in 2025. HEPL is one of the few large systems in the state with no partner foundation dedicated solely to its mission. In the past 20 years, libraries in the area have added millions to their programming budgets through their foundations. Now you can enhance and expand the impact YOUR library has in the community with a gift. Donations can be made through the Foundation’s page on the Library website.
Lisa Longo - Foundation Director
Board Members
Cathi White - Chairperson
Kyle B. Blowers – Vice Chairperson
Carol Sergi - Secretary
Jenny Pfeil - Board Member
James (Jim) Smith - Board Member
Susan Crandall - ex-officio Board Member
Michelle Payne - ex-officio Board Member
Noblesville Library
One Library Plaza
Noblesville, IN 46060
317.773.1384
–
9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Fishers Library
Five Municipal Drive
Fishers, IN 46038
317.579.0300
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
