September 2, 2009

Arlington Public Library to Set New Record
The Countdown to Two Million Has Begun

The Arlington Public Library will set a new record this month. One lucky patron will soon walk into a library and check out the two millionth item.

Two million items in a 12-month period will be a new circulation record for the Arlington Public Library System. Last year, the total circulation record was 1.86 million. As of today, circulation numbers have climbed to 1,946,610. The library’s fiscal year ends Sept. 31.

With the countdown to a new record under way, excitement is building across the Arlington Public Library System, which includes six branches, the Central Library in downtown Arlington and satellite branches in six public schools.

“We are excited to set a new record and reach the two million mark,” said Library Director Cary Siegfried. “Everyday, we continue to closely monitor and track the circulation of library materials in anticipation of that big moment.”

It was 1989 when the Arlington Public Library System set a one million circulation record. Library officials say an average of 6,252 library materials are circulated or checked out daily.

Arlington residents can track daily stats and watch the countdown to two million at www.arlingtonlibrary.org/twomillion. The web page includes interesting facts and information about the countdown and the collection of services offered at the library.

When will the library set the new record?
Library officials estimate that the winning patron will check out the two-millionth item sometime between September 8-18. Upon checkout at the Circulation Desk, the winner will be greeted with fanfare and receive a book bag of library related gifts, according to Library Development Officer Andi Davis. To learn more about the two-million countdown, visit www.arlingtonlibrary.org/twomillion.