Celebrate the Olympics @ Your Library

Think all the excitement is at the Milano Cortina Games? Think again. Librarians perform near-Olympian feats daily, lugging books, taming complex information, and handling long hours and tough reference requests.

Here are just a few gold-medal-worthy Olympian feats achieved by libraries and librarians around the world in 2024:

• Digital Dominance: 185+ library systems globally reported over 1 million digital checkouts (e-books, audiobooks, magazines) in 2024.
• Surging Demand for Digital Content: Audiobooks saw a 19% increase in circulation, while magazines grew by 70%.
• Physical Rebound: In-person visits to libraries are rebounding from pandemic lows, although programs and attendance for children increased significantly.
• Wi-Fi and Technology Access: Florida library staff provided over 1.7 million technology training sessions with the public, and 76% of Florida libraries offered external Wi-Fi access.
• Program Attendance: In-person and virtual programming saw a 42% increase from 2022 levels, with average program attendance up by 53%.
• A.I. Integration: In the past two years, libraries have moved quickly from exploring artificial intelligence to actively using it, especially generative AI, in their daily work. This rapid adoption means that learning about AI has become a top technology priority for libraries. It is now essential for librarians to build AI skills so they can use these tools confidently, ethically, and effectively.

Libraries serve thousands of people every day—including you. At their core, libraries are community spaces, offering something special to everyone, even those who never walk through the doors. Libraries and their communities share a mutually beneficial relationship: libraries provide vital resources and programs, while the community, in turn, supports and sustains the library.

This Library Lovers Month, show your support by shopping at any Friends of the Library book sale or making a donation in their honor. Government funding alone doesn’t provide libraries with the resources to offer all the programs and services our community depends on. Make a difference today by giving to the Library and help strengthen St. Johns County public libraries—so everyone in our community can continue to experience the gift of reading.

If you’re inspired by Olympic athletes, explore related books in our SJCPLS collection. Check out the Winter Olympics booklists: Going for the Gold and Beyond the Podium in this newsletter for reading suggestions, then visit any branch or bookmobile for personal assistance with materials or requests. Discover something new today!

Go, U.S.A.!