Sioux Center Public Library led Iowa libraries in its population category in checkouts during fiscal year 2025, while newer figures show strong demand for its renovated meeting rooms and summer programs.
Library Director Becky Bilby and Ruth Mahaffy shared the findings with the Sioux Center City Council on September 14, outlining how residents are using both traditional library services and recently improved spaces.
Checkouts Lead Comparable Libraries
According to the presentation, Sioux Center recorded 188,923 print-book checkouts during fiscal year 2025, which ran from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. That was the highest among Iowa libraries serving communities of 5,000 to 9,999 people and more than four times that category’s average.
Including physical and digital materials, circulation totaled 259,543 checkouts, also the highest in its population category.
The library recorded approximately 31.5 checkouts per resident. The presentation indicated only nine Iowa libraries had higher circulation per capita, with seven of those serving communities of fewer than 500 people.
Mahaffy said the demand extends across formats, with both print and digital circulation increasing.
“I think it just shows that our community really uses the library and finds that to be a really valuable resource to them,” Mahaffy said.
City Funding Supports Library Services
The presentation listed total library income of $741,936 for fiscal year 2025. City funding amounted to $76.62 per resident, or approximately $630,500 based on the population of 8,229 used in the report.
That represents roughly 85% of the library’s total income. Average city funding for libraries in the same population category was $63.18 per resident.
Bilby said Sioux Center’s circulation compares with libraries serving larger communities, while its budget and staffing remain closer to those in its own population category.
Renovated Rooms See Heavy Demand
More recent figures show how patrons are using the library’s renovated spaces.
Bilby reported 560 walk-in meeting-room uses during fiscal year 2024–25, increasing to more than 1,000 during fiscal year 2025–26. She credited the addition of smaller spaces that accommodate individual work and study.
“And it is honestly those individual meeting study rooms that we built this last year. Those are just in use all the time,” Bilby said.
The library’s summer reading report listed 1,026 participants who logged reading, along with 134 programs drawing a combined attendance of 5,110. Summer circulation totaled 52,848 checkouts.
The largest program, featuring glow-in-the-dark activities, attracted 349 people. The library also welcomed visits from groups including Rising Arrows, Tales & Trails, Apple Tree, and Dordt Discovery Days.
Bilby said the larger meeting room filled for multiple summer events. Demand for the STEM room and children’s computer room also led staff to use waiting lists and reservation systems.
“We won’t ask for more rooms. We won’t do that. We just have to get creative,” Bilby said.
She said the renovation’s benefits extend across age groups.
“So, I think the best thing about this building renovation is it impacted from birth to adult,” Bilby said. “It’s just such a great impact that this has had on our community.”
