I want to start with a brief reminder of the history of our Library pointing out that this facility was initially built at 4,600 sq. ft. in 1980 when we had just 4,500 patrons. In the ten years following, we added just 2,000 more. But in 1990, after we built a 14,000 sq. ft. addition, new patrons beat a path to our door.

Since 1990, patrons have grown over 5 1/2 times to our current 35,865 and circulation is up over 250%. Currently, 73% of our district residents hold library cards.

I imagine 14 years ago, the Library Board, never fully contemplated the growth in this community and the impact it would have on this Library. Here we are today, with the same 18,600 sq, ft. as 1990, while the population has grown 43% since 1980 and forecast to grow another 40% looking out to 2030.