The newly published Kent District Library 2021 Community Report tells the story of Kent District Library meeting its mission to further all people. It includes accounts of those impacted by KDL’s offerings, including reading programs, tech tutoring, feeding programs and more. The community report is a combination of the previously-published annual and impact reports. It is available for download at kdl.org/communityreport and highlights numerous accomplishments that were met during unprecedented times, including:
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Hundreds of kids have completed Mission: Read, the 1,000-day reading challenge that launched three years ago to help children develop a strong love for reading and improve reading proficiency.
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More than one million items were checked out through KDL’s OverDrive digital collection, placing KDL among the top 60 libraries in the world for OverDrive circulation.
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KDL was once again named a Library Journal Star Library, based upon the level of utilization by patrons and value delivered for taxpayers.
- Library users saved $78,383,477 in 2021 by checking out physical materials and digital items. The return on investment for taxpayers is much greater when you add the value derived from using computers, printers, study rooms, programs (in-person and online), outreach services, online databases and the personal service of library staff.
“This past year has served up an incredible amount of challenges and needs, many of which could never have been anticipated,” said Executive Director Lance Werner. “But by listening, watching, asking and learning, we’ve accomplished so much to help others.”
