Statistics from the Joeten-Kiyu library showed that from September last year to April 2011, a total of 39,455 patrons used the library services in Susupe while 2,061 patrons availed of the Bookmobile outreach services from October last year to April 2011.
The figure includes repeat patrons.
September last year posted the most number of patrons — 6,879. This was followed by April 2011 with 5,608; February 2011 with 5,386, October 2010 with 4,939; March 2011 with 4,904; November 2010 with 4,167; January 2011 with 4,142; and December 2010 with 3,430.
For the bookmobile outreach services, April 2011 had the highest number with 417 while October 2010 had the lowest with 122.
279 patrons used the bookmobile services in November and 319 in December last year.
This year, 270 patrons used the bookmobile services in January, 263 in February, and 391 in March.
In his letter that asked Gov. Benigno Fitial to spare the library from the suspension of the Education Tax Credit program, CNMI Library Council chairman Jose T. Limes said Joeten-Kiyu is the islands’ only library with the most expansive collections serving the overall informational, recreational and research literacy needs of the population.
Limes said Joeten-Kiyu has only eight staffers to serve the growing needs for library services, in addition to the renewed calls by the community members for expanded operation hours beyond the normal working hours.
“The Joeten-Kiyu Public Library provides daily homework assistance for struggling students at the library and in remote villages and major community centers on Saipan,” Limes said. The library also provides story-time reading to children process thousands of volumes of existing and new books and materials to patrons, and offer internet and research services, he added.
