Lost in the Stats is a recurring feature that highlights interesting library-related numbers. In this issue, we are showcasing data from some of our earliest available circulation records, in celebration of the library’s history.
- 1911: 12,448 library card holders, compared to 123,318 in 2024
- 1922: 1,354 books lent in languages other than English (earliest year on record)
- 1949: 7,114 phonographs borrowed, compared to 72 record player checkouts in 2024
- 1957: 198 telephone directories in circulation
- 1966: 12 radio programs put on by library staff
- 1973: 1,507 volunteer hours, compared to 6,612 in 2024
- 1975: 278 framed art prints in circulation
Learn more about the library history on the 150th Anniversary webpage.