The document discusses strategies used by the Blue Mountains City Council Libraries to reverse declining trends in library usage. New programs targeting children and young adults, such as storytimes, school holiday activities, and a toy library, increased circulation by 30% and new memberships by 55%. Renovating children's areas in branches also increased youth engagement. The initiatives successfully rejuvenated the libraries and reversed earlier declining usage trends.

1. The Rejuvenation of Blue Mountains Libraries via children’s and young adult programs Vicki Edmunds Manager, Libraries Blue Mountains City Council

4. Unique geography of the Blue Mountains

5. Circulation Statistics 1% 546,459 2006 8% 545,700 2005 -3% 503,296 2004 -2.20% 520,979 2003 -4.50% 532,473 2002 0.30% 557,508 2001 -1.50% 556,070 2000 7.10% 564,700 1999 -1.40% 526,850 1998 -6.20% 534,355 1997 -1.30% 569,373 1996 -1.40% 576,992 1995 -2.50% 584,984 1994 -1.80% 599,857 1993 -1.40% 610,751 1992 3.90% 619,713 1991 596,479 1990 % Total Loans Year

6. Visitation Statistics 460,987 2005/06 459,355 2004/05 449,768 2003/04 457,513 2002/03 467,795 2001/02 483,105 2000/01 499,994 1999/00 Patron visits - All branches Year

8. Storytimes

9. Fab Friday

10. School Holiday Activities

11. Theme Nights Pyjama parties

12. Theme Nights Library and Information Week

13. Theme Nights Halloween Party

14. Theme Nights Dads and Sons World Cup Night

15. Youth Programs

16. Youth Areas Springwood Branch Library

17. Youth Area Springwood Library with Aerosol Art installation

20. Babytime

21. Toy Library Launch

22. Toy Library

24. Benefits to the Library Service Children’s and Youth Library Usage 65,474 48,098 6,226 1994/95 70,167 46,450 6,087 1995/96 69,290 44,120 5,332 1996/97 65,678 42,580 4,974 1997/98 69,465 45,894 4,809 1998/99 64,571 44,018 4,571 1999/2000 63,355 42,932 4,391 2000/01 57,205 42,949 4,473 2001/02 54,957 40,503 4,208 2002/03 52,007 38,656 4,201 2003/04 50,630 48,908 4,344 2004/05 57,342 53,994 3,925 2005/06 Circulation - Junior Circulation - Easy Membership under 12 Year

25. Changes to Statistics ↑ 30% ↑ 55% ↑ 26% Programs ↑ 1% ↑ 2% Not available New Memberships ↑ 1% ↑ 8% ↓ 3% Loans ↑ 1% ↑ 5% ↓ 2% Visits 05/06 04/05 03/04

27. Questions?