2023-24 Annual Report to the Community

From Library Director Chantelle Phillips: It’s time for the Campbell County Public Library’s Annual Report; from enriching programs to author talks to valuable services and resources, CCPL had so much to offer this fiscal year.

As director, I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished as we continue to strive toward our mission of “enhancing lifelong learning by providing popular materials, programs, and services to our community.”

Here are just a few of the year’s highlights.

 A New Library Director

JC Morgan retired as CCPL’s director after two decades in November of 2023. Following his retirement, Morgan assumed the role of State Director, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Kentucky. In his time as director, he helped grow our Outreach Department; oversaw the construction of the Newport Branch; added three express units; opened the Alexandria Branch; and more.

I officially became the library’s director on Nov. 27 and am proud to serve our community in leading our innovative, passionate and knowledgeable staff. My hope is to continue to grow CCPL’s presence in our community as a gathering place and resource hub.

Before taking on the role of director, I served the library system in multiple capacities. I became manager of the Newport Branch in 2008 and assistant director in 2012 (while maintaining the Newport Branch Manager position). In 2021, my management duties moved to the Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch before transitioning in 2023 to the library’s Human Resources position. During my 16 years with CCPL, I have overseen renovations, developed programs and services, and worked to support our staff to ensure we can support our community members to the best of our ability.

How You Used the Library

Over 375,334 visited the library this year! Whether you came for our Wi-Fi, to check out materials or attended a program: Thank you. We hope you come back!

Speaking of programs, the library saw a total attendance of 69,882 across all four branches and age groups this year. Our staff spearhead craft nights, speakers, game nights, book clubs, STEAM fun and more.

We even hosted Virtual Author Talks every month in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, who have delivered authors like Madeline Miller, Shelby Van Pelt, Rebecca F. Kuang, John Stamos and others. You can check upcoming talks at libraryc.org/ccpl/upcoming.

In total, 2,855 groups used our spaces this year across 4,071 meetings for a total attendance of 19,047! We see returning groups and fresh faces alike each year, from clubs to outside organizations and more.

You also checked out materials from our collection—938,311 items to be exact. That’s a 3.9 percent increase!

Freshly-Wrapped Outreach Vehicles

Our outreach vehicles received newly-designed wraps to match the Book Bus! Speaking of the Book Bus, the vehicle saw a total of 8,227 attendees in 2023, gave out 5,925 books and hosted 58 events!

Check cc-pl.org/book-bus to see its schedule! Visit the Book Bus and take home a free book. We stock free books for all ages from infants to adults. Book Bus visitors can also sign up for library cards, return library items and ask staff members questions about library programs and services.

Digital Learning

We have offered digital learning classes, among other initiatives—including creating laptop and tablet sets for patron use—through grants from the Public Library Association. (We received $7,000 in 2022-23 and another $6,000 for fall/winter ‘23.)

From Sept. 2022 to Dec. 2023, we taught 41 classes across Campbell County and had 310 attendees. We have since continued to use grant funds to support tech classes, where we often provide USB drives, pens and notebooks or snacks as an incentive to attend.

The grants have helped us grow and foster digital literacy, especially in older adults. Class topics range from how to use a smartphone to downloading apps to job search tools and more. To adequately serve our community, classes are hosted at every branch as well as other local spaces, including the UK Extension office and Southern Campbell Fire District. We plan to start teaching classes at the Senior Center, YMCA, Fort Thomas VA Medical Center and more this fall.

According to a survey we distributed about our digital learning services, 96 percent said they felt more knowledgeable about using technology; 100 percent said they intend to apply what they learned and were more aware of the services/resources provided by the library; and 88 percent felt more confident when using digital resources.

Taking Flight

Have you flown out of the CVG Airport lately? If yes, you may have noticed the Airport Library! The library opened in Concourse B in the summer of 2023 through a partnership with CCPL, Kenton County Public Library, Boone County Public Library and the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. We’re proud to help stock its shelves!

A library card is not required to check a book out. Pick out a book before your flight and then you can either pass it on to another passenger or bring it back to the Airport Library. You can even return it to one of the aforementioned partnered libraries. The Airport Library accepts book donations across all genres.

Musical Flowers at Fort Thomas & Cold Spring

The Cold Spring and Carrico/Fort Thomas branches both saw new, whimsical additions this spring in the form of musical flowers! Walk outside either branch and you’ll see the faux flowers. Strike their petals and enjoy the resulting sounds!

We have loved seeing patrons of all ages stop to play or admire the flowers.

Friends of the Library

I would like to take a moment to extend gratitude to the Friends of the Campbell County Public Library, a non-profit, equal-opportunity organization that provides generous financial support for a number of library programs.

Funds generated through membership fees and book sales help pay for building amenities, annual staff scholarships, staff appreciation events and other services. The Friends also serve as library advocates. If you’re interested in joining their ranks, visit cc-pl.org/friends.

I would also like to thank ALL our volunteers and donors who generously spend their time and money to make the Campbell County Public Library an even greater asset for our entire county.

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