Do people use libraries anymore? We live in an age of information where most people have instant access to resources on the internet. The answer to this question can be found in library use data. In 2024, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) saw excellent use throughout El Paso County. The data tells stories about how the community uses libraries in our region and shows growth in the number of people using PPLD libraries from 2023 to 2024.

The library district added 28,308 new library cardholders in 2024, nearly 1,000 more than the prior year. Each month, nearly 60,000 unique people used their library cards to access services, check out books, reserve meeting rooms and creative spaces, and for other purposes.

While having a library card allows people to check out materials and access the library’s online resources from anywhere, a card is not required to visit and use many of the resources the library offers. PPLD welcomed 1,905,097 visitors, which is nearly 158,000 people per month and around 30,000 more visitors than last year. The library would have also seen that number of visits if every person living in El Paso County visited the library two and a half times. Visitors checked out 2,175,331 physical materials and used computers 224,751 times. An estimated 32,630 people used meeting and study rooms throughout the district, 5,000 more than in 2023. From these numbers, it is clear that more people are visiting libraries in our region.

Another area where the library continues to grow is its digital materials, which saw 15% more use in 2024. For the second year in a row, the library reached over 3 million checkouts of digital materials (eBooks, eMagazines, and eAudiobooks) on Libby/OverDrive, with an additional 52,944 items checked out on Hoopla.

Use of the library’s Pikes Peak Culture Pass program went up by 12%, connecting more library users with the local community. People checked out 3,588 passes to visit museums and attractions in the Pikes Peak region and Denver (408 more than in 2023).

More people participated in many of the library’s annual programs as well. Nearly 133,000 people attended the library’s 4,120 programs. In the summer, 18,302 people registered for PPLD’s Summer Adventure reading program, a 27% increase from 2023. During the annual All Pikes Peak Reads, the library added a second author visit with Shelley Read (author of “Go as a River”) due to high interest in the event. The library’s annual Winter Adult Reading Program also enjoyed growth, with 5,070 participants taking on the 30-day reading challenge, 25% more people than the prior year. This year’s Winter Adult Reading Program is happening now through March 31 and the library hopes to surpass its 2024 numbers. Anyone who wants to participate can learn more at ppld.org/winter-reading.

Libraries provide many resources for business, school, leisure, and beyond. They provide meeting spaces and offer access to tax services, small business resources, homework help, makerspaces, consumer information, skills development, early literacy and learning, financial planning, and much more. With so much to offer, the question you should start asking is, when was the last time you treated yourself to a library visit?

Carla Bamesberger is the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for Pikes Peak Library District. Besides reading and touting all that the District offers, this Coloradoan enjoys spending time with her husband and pets, biking, crafting, and gaming. She can be reached at cbamesberger@ppld.org or by calling (719) 531-6333, x6259.