Fitchburg Public Library with Nearly 4 Months Under Its Belt

Fitchburg residents check out new library. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/12/2011)

Excerpt: Interest in the Fitchburg Public Library has been high. In August, it circulated more than 28,800 materials, which is about half of what it owns, library director Wendy Rawson said. The building could hold up to 100,000 items, she said.

"We wanted to wait and see what people checked out, what people asked for," she said.
The library doesn't keep track of attendance because many people come multiple times a day. But with lots of seating along the perimeter near the windows, there can be a lot of people in the library without it feeling crowded, Rawson said.

Phil Sveum, treasurer of the library's board, said usage has exceeded the board's expectations.

The library was funded through $10 million in borrowing and $4 million in fund-raising, according to Sveum. Many of the donors are recognized in a high-tech display inside the building's front doors.


From August 2010 LINKcat ILS statistical report.