Perry Hall Library Looks Forward to Third Strong Year

In human years, the is a toddler. But library Manager Darcy Cahill isn't expecting a case of the terrible 2s. In fact, she expects another strong year of participation and support from the community.

The library celebrated its second anniversary with two events last week, a on Wednesday, March 9 and a DinoRock show, sponsored by the Friends of the Perry Hall Library, on Saturday, March 12. The branch also featured crafts, Wii gaming, toys, stickers, a fundraising raffle and a large mylar balloon in the shape of a two. 

"It has been a fantastic year, and all of our numbers were higher than the first year," Cahill said.

She released the following library statistics for its second year, between March 1, 2010 and Feb. 28, 2011:

• Computer sign-ups:  44,388
• Number of visitors to the library:  246,879
• Circulation:  722,507
• Customer service and information inquiries:  156,127 
• Number of programs offered:  312
• Number of customers attending programs:  14,140
• Number of children registered for the Summer Reading Program: 3,184  (a 10 percent increase over the previous year)

Todd McLain is one of the nearly quarter of a million people who visited the library last year. The father of three boys, ages 3, 10 and 12, said that the new library has become an important part of his famiy's weekly routine.

"It helps keep [my sons] interested in school. For homework, they read 20 minutes a night—this helps them find new stories," McLain said. "It's a lot better than the old one and it does a lot more with the community."

One component of the library's community outreach program is the Friends of the Perry Hall Library organization, which held a raffle on Saturday to help raise funds for upcoming activities and programs.

The raffle included a basket of treats from Trader Joe's and raised more than $250.

"People always tell us how much they love having the library in the community," said Harry Quinn, a friends member.