Guelph Public Library Annual Report: In-Person Visits Decline, Digital Engagement Grows

Monday, March 3rd, 2025 - 9:52 am
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Guelph Public Library: Growth, Challenges, and Changing Community Habits

The Guelph Public Library (GPL) has released its 2024 Annual Report, offering a look at how the library has evolved over the past three years. While the numbers highlight significant successes in digital engagement and program attendance, they also reveal a steady decline in in-person visits and Makerspace usage.

As GPL continues to serve the community, these trends provide insight into what’s working and where challenges remain.

Fewer People Visiting in Person, More Engaging Online

One of the most noticeable shifts in library usage has been the decline in in-person visits. In 2022, the library welcomed 857,812 visitors, a strong rebound after pandemic-related restrictions. However, by 2024, that number had dropped to 848,531. While the decrease is not drastic, it suggests a trend that could continue if not addressed.

At the same time, online engagement has grown significantly. The 2024 report recorded over 1 million online visits, indicating that more people are accessing the library’s services digitally rather than physically. This shift highlights the increasing importance of digital resources, but it also raises concerns about the role of physical library spaces in community life.

New Library Cards: Growth Followed by a Dip

The number of new library cardholders surged in 2023, reaching 8,454, an increase from 7,248 in 2022. However, 2024 saw a slight decline to 8,348. While this isn’t a major drop, it does suggest that the library’s ability to attract new users has slowed slightly.

The reason for this could be linked to declining in-person visits, as many people still associate library membership with borrowing physical books. With more resources available online, it’s possible that fewer people feel the need to sign up for a card.

Library Checkouts Remain Strong, But See a Small Decline

The number of items checked out has remained above 2 million per year, showing that GPL’s collection continues to be well-used. In 2022, checkouts stood at 2.13 million, growing to 2.23 million in 2023. However, in 2024, the number dropped slightly to 2,217,944.

This could indicate a shift toward digital materials, as more people choose to access e-books, audiobooks, and online databases rather than borrowing physical items.

Program Attendance Sees an Increase

While some areas have declined, library programs have seen incredible growth. In 2022, only 1,138 people attended library events. That number jumped to 25,954 in 2023 and continued to grow to 35,264 in 2024—a 28% increase in just one year.

This success reflects GPL’s efforts to diversify programming, offering both in-person and virtual options to engage a wider audience. Events like book clubs, early literacy programs, and educational workshops have been particularly popular.

Makerspace Usage Declines

The library’s Makerspace, which provides access to tools like 3D printers, embroidery machines, and button makers, saw a decline in use over the past few years. In 2022, 4,426 people used the space, but by 2024, that number dropped to 3,491.

While still a valuable resource, the decreasing participation suggests that either awareness is lacking, or people’s needs are shifting toward other forms of library engagement.

Technology and Digital Resource Use: A Reporting Change?

The use of library technology—such as in-library computers, Wi-Fi, and digital resources—has always been a major part of GPL’s offerings. In 2022, digital sessions totaled 1.49 million, increasing to 1.57 million in 2023. However, the 2024 report only lists 402,723 e-resource sessions, which is significantly lower.

It’s unclear whether this represents a true decline in digital engagement or a change in how the data was reported. Given the rise in online visits, it seems unlikely that digital resource usage would have dropped so dramatically.

New Community-Focused Initiatives in 2024

This past year, GPL introduced new community programs aimed at social support and harm reduction. These included:

Free contraceptives available in library washrooms
Naloxone training for staff and community members
BRAVE sensors in public washrooms to detect medical emergencies

These additions demonstrate a growing focus on public health and community safety, showing that the library is evolving to meet more than just literary and educational needs.

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