How did we serve Salina in 2025? Salina Public Library Community Report Connecting people to information, learning & culture Service Minded | People Centered | Lifelong Learning Circulation We provided free access to books, digital materials, and resources supporting learning, literacy, skill-building and enjoyment. 499,738 items checked out 2,707 items loaned through interlibrary loans 2,502 items borrowed through interlibrary loans 32,459 card holders 920 puzzles exchanged 27,440 holds placed 2,097,790 total items available 3,124 hotspots used 693 nontraditional items borrowed Programs Our events offered enriching experiences, literacy support, and opportunities for community members to learn and connect. 31,981 patrons attended 1,788 library events 115 participants in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program 279 storytimes were hosted 97 book clubs hosted 13,613 spice & seed packets taken For summer at the library, 22,876 books were read, 6,976 learning packets were completed, and 3,810 free summer lunches were served Services We ensured free access to technology, internet, meeting spaces, and resources that were relevant to the needs of our community members. 38,648 public wifi sessions 60,521 pages printed 16,367 patron notifications sent 157,120 questions answered 10,324 room reservations 145,873 library building visits 134,709 website visits Outreach We brought library services directly to the community, removed barriers, and strengthened local connections. 554 little library donations 97 presentations provided 26 programs hosted at Salina Grace 298 jail deliveries 3,220 childcare delivers 2,395 home deliveries 1,213 lobby stop deliveries at Oakdale Plaza, Presbyterian Manor, Johnstown Towers, Arbor Court, and Eaglecrest Connections Our partnerships and collaborations enhanced services, connected people to resources, and reinforced the library's mission. 1,475 hours volunteered 29 nonprofits joined our Community Nonprofit Showcase 18 members on our Community Advisory Committee 35 organizations partnered with fro programs & services 390 generous donors Thank you!

As we reflect on 2025, we’re proud not only of what the Salina Public Library accomplished, but also how we accomplished it. Every service, program, and partnership was guided by our mission to connect people to information, learning, and culture, and grounded in our core values of service, community, and lifelong learning.

Those values shape everything we do,  from the resources we offer to the ways we connect with our community.

Circulation: Expanding Access to Information

Access to information remains foundational to our mission. In 2025, nearly 500,000 items were checked out, reflecting strong community engagement with books, media, and digital materials. With more than 32,000 cardholders and 27,000 holds placed, Salina residents relied on the Library to support learning, literacy, entertainment, and personal growth.

Beyond traditional collections, we continued to broaden what access looks like. Our Library of Things circulated nearly 700 nontraditional items, giving patrons access to things like 3D Pens, gardening tools, DVD players, pickleball paddles, and other items they may only need occasionally or would just like to try out. By sharing these items, the Library helps reduce financial barriers while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and practical skill-building.

We also extended access through Interlibrary Loan, which allows patrons to borrow materials from libraries across the region and beyond. Thousands of items were shared this way in 2025, ensuring our patrons could access the information and stories they need, even when they aren’t available locally.

Services: Supporting Daily Needs

Our services reflect the Library’s role as an essential community resource. In 2025, patrons logged 38,648 public Wi-Fi sessions, printed more than 60,000 pages, and asked over 157,000 questions of Library staff. Meeting rooms supported collaboration, learning, and civic engagement through more than 10,000 reservations, while both our physical building and website welcomed hundreds of thousands of visits.

Behind each of these numbers is a moment of connection: a job application submitted, a form completed, a meeting hosted, or a question answered with care and expertise.

Programs: Learning, Literacy, and Connection

Programs are a key way we bring our mission to life. In 2025, nearly 32,000 patrons attended 1,788 library events, including storytimes, book clubs, and programs for all ages.

Summer programming once again played a central role in supporting literacy and learning. Community members read 22,876 books, completed nearly 7,000 learning packets, and received 3,810 free lunches. Families also took home more than 13,000 spice and seed packets, blending education, culture, and hands-on exploration.

These programs create opportunities not just to learn, but to connect with ideas, with resources, and with one another.

Outreach: Removing Barriers

Guided by our values of service and inclusion, we worked to remove barriers by bringing library services directly into the community. Through home deliveries, childcare visits, presentations, jail deliveries, and partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits, we ensured access wasn’t limited by transportation, mobility, or circumstance.

Outreach is not an add-on to our work. It is a core expression of our mission to serve everyone.

Connections: Powered by Community

We could not do this work without the support of our community. In 2025, volunteers contributed 1,475 hours, and partnerships with dozens of organizations strengthened programs and services across Salina. Our Community Advisory Committee offered guidance and insight, and nearly 400 generous donors helped make expanded services possible.

Every partnership, volunteer hour, and donation reinforces the Library’s ability to respond to community needs.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate the impact of 2025, we’re also looking forward. Construction is underway on our Youth Services department, and we’re excited to welcome the community into the new and improved space when it opens this summer. This project reflects our ongoing commitment to children, families, and lifelong learning,  and to creating spaces that evolve alongside our community.

Every statistic represents a person, a story, and a moment of connection. Thank you for being part of the Library’s work and for supporting a shared vision rooted in access, learning, and community.