Naperville Public Library By the numbers in 2021

During 2021, we continued to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop us from making this year count! Check out some of our highlights from the last 365 days.

We added new collections.

400+

board games for children, teens, adults and families made their debut in September

6,753

check-outs of our new Wonderbooks, talking books for children that can help early readers build their confidence

6

new online resources were introduced, including the O’Reilly for Libraries technology database, the Washington Post, and popular sections of the New York Times like cooking and crosswords

ZERO OVERDUE FINES.

Starting in June, instead of accruing a fine for each day an item is late, accounts are temporarily locked after an item is seven days overdue.

This system encourages on-time returns and renewals without penalizing library users with fines that can add up quickly. Six months later, items are still being returned at the same rate, and we have seen no impact on wait times for popular materials.

we adapted our programming to the pandemic.

Over the course of the year, we tried out many new approaches to provide programs to our community.

14,418

adult program participants (our highest participation rate in five years)

845

service hours completed by teen volunteers

72

outdoor storytimes held in the 95th Street Community Plaza and the Naperville Riverwalk Amphitheater

7

different languages we presented our programs in: Arabic, Chinese, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Spanish and Telugu

17

days of Harry Potter-themed programming during the Party That Shall Not Be Named in July

30

days of virtual programs during Star Wars Reads in October

1 virtual play floor.

This new interactive exhibit at Nichols Library features over 200 games.

It was funded through donations in honor of beloved children’s librarian Patty Daniel, who passed away in 2020 from cancer.

we continued to work with many organizations throughout our community.

15

days of early voting at 95th Street Library in March and April

17

farmer’s markets hosted with Naperville Park District

3

days hosting the Mobile Museum of Tolerance in partnership with Representative Janet Yang Rohr, Senator Laura Ellman and the City of Naperville

90%

of Library staff trained through Dementia Friendly Naperville

5 stars.

In December, we were once again named a Library Journal Five-Star Library, the highest recognition a public library can receive. Thank you to our customers, staff and community for making this possible!

but what was #1?

Check out the most popular items in our collection this year:

Fiction Book: "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah | Non-Fiction Book: "A Promised Land" by Barack Obama | Teen Book: "Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" by Suzanne Collins | Children’s Book: "Dog Man: Fetch 22" by Dav Pilkey | Movie: "News of the World" | Video Game: "Super Smash Brothers Ultimate" | Board Game: Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition | CD: Medicine at Midnight — Foo Fighters