New Hampshire public library statistics are collected annually by the New Hampshire State Library. The data provide holdings, services, programs, income, expenditures and personnel information.
Library personnel can use the data to monitor library trends and to compare their services with libraries of similar size to demonstrate the need for increased funding and expansion of library services. The New Hampshire State Library submits a yearly report of the state’s public library data to the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Here is the data from 2023; TFL USER STATS NHLA
We reported a service area population of 4544 with a total of registered users being 1480.
However, in an email being circulated in the community identified as “From The Director’s Desk” and signed by Lynn states the following,
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How do we know which data set is correct?
We report one thing to the NH State Library and another to the community. What are we to believe???
For example, we tell the community 3000 users represents 50% of our population. Yet we report to the State Library our population is only 4544???
The data above also points out that the library only 1616 public service hours over a fifty-two week year. That is 31 service hours per week. Does that mean we have a part time library???
If so, why are we the tax payers being asked to approve an increase in what appears to be a full time budget. Budgeting for a full time library director with benefits when the library has only part time service is ludicrous!!!
Budget preparation is a difficult task. Having conflicting data makes it IMPOSSIBLE…Maybe, we should start wondering why is there so much confusion???
Is this by design??? Or maybe we have elected individuals incapable of successfully completing such a difficult task???
ONLY YOU can be the judge…
ohb, we out