OUR SHELVES, OUR SHELVES, OUR SHELVES, YOUR STORIES YOUR STORIES YOUR STORIES
H E P L A N N U A L R E P O R T
I look forward to assembling the data for the annual report every year. The staff at the Hamilton East Public Library work hard year-round to provide excellent programs and services for our community. The data we collect helps us identify areas where we are thriving, while also revealing ways we can improve. Because we strive every day to better meet the needs of our patrons, this information is invaluable for guiding our future plans.
Thank you to our staff, volunteers, board, partners, and especially our community. It is an honor to serve this community, and I thank you for your support.
Melissa Loiselle, Library Director
Mission
To be our community’s essential connector to information and ideas.
Board of Trustees
Craig Siebe - President
Kim Logan - Vice-President
Vision
A connected library in a connected community.
Susan Crandall - Secretary
Beth Sheller - Assistant
Secretary/Assistant Treasurer
Courtney Chamberlin - Board Member
Bill Kenley - Board Member
Michael Zahm - Board Member
Total Operating Local Government Revenue
$10,575,087
$12,040,580
2,247,338 physical/electronic item checkouts
$.0302 1,779 programs
55,612 program attendees
95,684 cardholders
46,265 reference questions
762,761 website visits
32,396 computer sessions 23 average number of items checked out per cardholder
Expanding What’s Possible Expanding What’s Possible Expanding Possible
In 2025, the Hamilton East Public Library Foundation began making an impact by supporting programs and initiatives that strengthen connections across our community. Foundation funding helped bring meaningful experiences to life through events such as Welcoming Week, Ignite’s Maker in Residence, and A Night in the Stacks, while also supporting opportunities that enrich learning and expand access to library resources. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the Library's programs, services, and spaces, the Foundation helps bridge the gap between public funding and community needs, ensuring the Library remains a vital resource for generations to come.
Lisa Longo - Foundation Director
2025 Board Members
Cathi White - President
Kyle B. Blowers – Vice President
Carol Sergi - Secretary
Ron Ackerman - Board Member
Susan Davis - Board Member
Sri Kumar - Board Member
Sara McSpadden - Board Member
James Nottage - Board Member
Jenny Pfeil - Board Member
James (Jim) Smith - Board Member
Susan Crandall - Library Trustee
Michelle Payne - Library Trustee
Early Literacy
Program Attendees
36,126
Growing Readers Growing Readers Growing Readers
School Age
Program Attendees
6,054
+19%
Increase in children’s program attendance
Stacy, Library Patron
“I think what’s different about bringing my grandkids to the library, is that they really can explore different areas in the library and bring it to me. Here, it’s like they’re open and want to show me all the different things. It’s created that togetherness and I love that.”
Watch Stacy’s Story:
Program Registrants Summer Reading
6,926
+45% Summer Reading
Program Completions
Making & Creating Making & Creating Making & Creating
Brent, Library Patron
39,970 Visitors
Kits Checked Out
20,786
+9% increase in the number of kits checked out
“As a small business owner (The Rejoicing Vine Winery), I would never be able to afford these sorts of tools. Having access to these tools is phenomenal and has a huge impact on our business.”
Watch Brent’s Story:
Where Community Thrives Where Community Thrives Where Community Thrives
My husband, son and I moved to Indiana when my son was 9 months old. We had some family here, but we didn’t have any friends, and we didn’t know anyone with kids. I was a stay-at home mom, and to get out of the house, I started taking my son to storytime at the Noblesville branch. Over time, I started talking to some of the other moms, and we started planning to meet up at the library for various baby-friendly classes throughout the week. Then, we started planning to meet up outside of the library. We met at parks, the nature center, the zoo, the museum. We brought our husbands, and our families got to know each other, too. We saw each other almost every day of the week. Our kids were babies together, they grew into toddlers together, and many of them went to preschool together.
Ten years later, the babies that met at the library are in 5th grade. Though they’ve gone to different schools, they still see each other a few times a year. And the moms… many are still my closest friends. The library became my home away from home, and for some of the toughest years of parenting, it brought me to a group of amazing people who then became my family. I will forever be grateful, and the library will always hold a special place in my heart.
- Maggie, Library Patron
Roots & History Roots & History Roots & History
455 Program Attendees
+40% increase in the number of people that attended history & genealogy programs
Bryan, Library Patron
Digital Media Lab Sessions Formal Tou Attendees
“Once you ’ ve made that comittment that I want to do my family history or I want to research local history, you’ll be amazed at the things you’ll find at the library. It’s like you ’ re pulling on a thread. The Crossroads Discovery Center is a great place to do research on history.”
Watch Bryan’s Story:
A Place to Belong A Place to Belong A Place to Belong
It's the librarians for me. Easily. I have never had a negative experience with anyone there. They are warm, kind, and genuine in a way that never feels forced. You can tell they love books, and just as much, they love the people they serve. Often, that care is communicated without words at all.
I love bringing my three sons to the library and having them see me chat naturally with the librarians. That familiarity feels important. They are growing up seeing that it is normal to know the people in your community, to be remembered, and to be welcomed back. The library is a sweet and consistent community touchpoint for our family.
One moment that really stands out is when I asked a children’s librarian for mystery recommendations for my son, who loved the genre but felt stuck on what to read next. She returned with a stack of about fifteen books and talked through each one, explaining what he might enjoy and why. She even suggested additional titles he could explore later. It felt thoughtful, personal, and completely above and beyond, yet also very normal for this library.
Because of experiences like that, my boys feel confident in the space. They are comfortable asking questions, using the computers to search for books, and advocating for what they need. Every visit is a good one. The Noblesville Library is not just a place we go, it is a place we belong.
- Ariane, Library Patron
12
Curiosity in Every Corner Curiosity in Every Corner Curiosity in Every Corner
Board Games
527 Available 6,368 Checked Out
Cameron, Library Patron
Library of Things
44 Available 397 Checked Out
Seed Library
Packets Checked Out
88,000+
+13% increase in checked out seed packets
“The library is great because it always helps people find where the games are. I like playing games at the library because it’s much quieter and peaceful. I love not only learning how to play games, but I would teach others how to play games. It’s perfect here!”
Watch Cameron’s Story:
71,454 Holds Placed
Access for All Access for All Access for All
Lamiah, Library Patron
Home Delivery
Items Delivered
2,317
+30% increase in the number of patrons using home delivery and the number of items being delivered
“The holds pickup makes the library more accessible. Picking up books becomes way easier when you know it’s at my library. It makes reading more enjoyable.”
Watch Lamiah’s Story:
Outreach
32,030 People reached
334 Events
+28% increase in the number of community members reached through outreach
Beyond the Building Beyond the Building Beyond the Building
My story is outside the library walls, but vital to the library iteself. I am an avid user of Libby, which allows the electronic use of books and audiobooks. I'm not able to get the library as often as I need, but I can check out books freely. Over the past three years I've read 700 books, a direct result of the ability to check out books.
Many weren't as good as I'd hoped, but the availability of books has enriched my life and helped me to be more self-aware and self actualized. I've gone through many stages of life and these books have been more than entertainment. They've helped me to grow through so many challenges of life, learning about grief recovery, navigating divorce, spiritual development, retirement strategies, and so much more. Thank you for supporting the community and I with electronic resources.
