Library accomplishments in 2012

2012 has been a busy and exciting year at the library. With so many changes on the horizon, it's easy to forget everything we've accomplished in the last 12 months. So, for all you list-lovers, here are some of the great things we did at Hillsboro Public Library this year (courtesy of Library Director Mike Smith):

• Hillsboro led the County in RFID implementation: conversion, installation, and fine payment at self-checkouts.
• Librarians started using iPads at service desks and during outreach events.
• We started checking out pre-loaded eReaders to the public.
• The City Council approved at $9 million bond for library expansion and renovation at Main and Shute Park.
• The Library ended the year with more than 700 Facebook followers, and also started a new Twitter account and YouTube channel.
• More than 700 volunteers donated more than 25,000 hours of their time to the Library.
• Checkouts and renewals totaled 2.9 million.
• We added more than 47,000 books and AV items to the collection.
• We saw more than 800,000 visits.
• We filled more than 500,000 holds.
• Librarians answered more than 87,000 reference questions.
• More than 5500 kids and teens participated in our Summer Reading Program.
• Friends of the Library grossed about $207,000.
• The Library Foundation launched its Centennial Capital Campaign, and over $210,000 has been pledged already.

Thank you for being a part of all the wonderful work that goes on at the Library! Every one of our accomplishments is the result of collaboration between library staff and volunteers, and we're looking forward to an even more exciting 2013!

Special Facebook bonus: If you're not already following the Library on Facebook, be sure to visit our page this week! There are pictures from a volunteer project we did on Wednesday with a group from Intel.