CARLETON PLACE — The Carleton Place Public Library continues to see strong growth, with rising circulation numbers, expanded programming and increasing community use highlighted in its 2025 annual report presented to committee of the whole May 12.
CEO Mariah Caswell described the library as “the beating heart of a strong and engaged community” as she outlined a year marked by record circulation, growing digital use and provincial recognition.
More than 160,000 items were checked out in 2025, a 2.5 per cent increase over the previous year. Digital borrowing also continued to climb, with eBooks and eAudiobooks accounting for roughly 27 per cent of total circulation.
“Because I know you like to have updated numbers Mayor Randell, I pulled the numbers for last month and there were 2,000 visits in the month of April,” said Caswell.
Programming increased by 30 per cent, helped in part by the addition of a program coordinator position and a revamped children’s reading program that rewards young readers with collectible trading cards.
The library hosted 612 programs in 2025, welcomed 55,000 visitors, logged nearly 8,000 Wi Fi sessions and added almost 1,000 new memberships.
The library also received recognition beyond the municipality. Programs and Outreach Manager Heidi Sinette received a Lanark County Asset Builders Award for her work with youth, while the library’s Mini Maker Craft Fair was shortlisted for the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence for innovative programming.
Caswell said the library is continuing to focus on outreach, accessibility improvements and raising its profile across Carleton Place and Beckwith Township. New accessibility tools for readers with print disabilities are now available, and a new online registration portal launched this spring to streamline signups for programs and events.
“We have a nascent Friends of the Library group. They are very, very new, but they are wonderful and so keen and they have already had one successful event under their belts,” said Caswell. “Anyone hoping to catch up with them and learn a bit more, they will be at the Lilac Festival in Franktown coming up.”
The Lilac Festival will be held May 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centennial Hall in Beckwith Township.
Caswell also noted preparations are underway to recruit members for the 2027-2030 library board term. Residents interested in serving are encouraged to contact the library for more information on the role and expectations.
“Thank you for your presentation. I truly do appreciate the updated numbers,” said Mayor Toby Randell. “It’s always good to see how many people are actively using our library. I see it on a regular basis as people are constantly going in and out of the library as I do work in my front yard.”
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