Pocatello library visits on the rise

A new study indicates every resident of Pocatello, on average, visited the Marshall Public Library 6 times during Fiscal Year 2016.

That was one finding from the “Idaho Public Library Statistics” released by the Idaho Commission for Libraries.

The report indicates 83 percent of Pocatello residents have a library card from the Marshall Public Library, up 4 percent from Fiscal Year 2015. Statewide, 61 percent of eligible Idahoans have an active library card.

“Pocatello values the services that we provide at the Marshall Public Library,” said Eric Suess, Marshall Public Library Director. “Today’s libraries are much more than just a collection of books. We have classes, activities, and programs that appeal to all different people and their interests.”

According to the report, local governments invest an average $35.75 per resident into public libraries and that each resident receives a value of $189.06 in services. That is a return on investment of $5.29 for $1 spent on library materials and services.

“Our attendance per capita was 6.27,” Suess explained. “This means that on average, every resident in Pocatello visited the Marshall Public Library 6 times in Fiscal Year 2016.” Total attendance for the year totaled 341,306 visits.

You can find more on the Idaho Commission for Libraries report here.