The role of the library in the city is to be that resource for folks that either it's
just recreational reading and resources or lifelong learning, but also public spaces
and access to technology and to meet that broad view of the community that they desire
to see at the library.
We have three locations, Northport branch opened in 2006, it is in the Northport shopping
area up there by Hornbockers and it is very reminiscent of a small town storefront library.
The main library here obviously full service main library with library administration opened
in the spring of 2009 and then the Dr. James Carlson library down on 32nd Avenue opened
in 07, full service branch.
2024 was a record year for us.
The real growth in our collection in terms of circulation is e-content, e-audio books
and e-books, that has just been growing like 25% over year after year.
I think the Fargo Public Library's role in the community here is providing a safe and
free place to access information in whatever form that is, whether it's the latest mystery
novel or using the computers we have here to go online and connect through email or
applying for jobs and creating a sense of community through our programming that we offer.
We hear a lot of people saying, well I didn't know that you could do that at the library,
I didn't know that the library had that, so whether it's the fact that we check out video
games and board games, that we have things like notary that's free.
We have copying and printing of course.
There's always things every day that we're really surprised that people don't realize
we do.
We also have a lot of events and activities that are happening, so we have lots of things
for all ages from birth through senior citizens.
We also offer a lot of resources as far as databases or community resources that you
can access.
We offer meeting rooms for people if they need a meeting room and of course we just
offer a place for people to gather and be, whether it's a family or a group, and spend
time interacting with each other and getting the help that they need.
Public support is so important for the Fargo Library.
There are so many people that stop by here every day that I interact with who are so
grateful for the services we provide, whether it's answering questions when completing applications
online or looking for the book that they really want to check out that they've been looking
for the latest thing in the series and really want that, and all the programming that we
offer the people who regularly attend, and we need that support from the public to be
able to keep providing these services to people that they'll have this library that they love.
In an age where everything's becoming more expensive, household budgets, if you're going
to hold the line, take advantage of what we have to offer.
It's there for you.
If you're a citizen of Fargo, come and get a card.
You can obviously sign up for a card at any of the three locations.
You can do it online and really take advantage of all the resources that are there for you.