[City of Santa Clarita] — The Santa Clarita Public Library recently completed its second year of operation, providing library services and programs to benefit the Santa Clarita community with noteworthy success as seen in the Annual Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012-2013.

The Annual Report highlights the grand opening of the Old Town Newhall Library, which more than 4,000 community members attended in September 2012, as well as new programs introduced this past year including the Teen Advisory Board, Dudes and Dads, Special-Needs Storytime, and the Story-Telling and Reading (STAR) program.

Some of the Library's leading statistics in the past year included:

* Receiving 888,880 customer visits at its three branches.

* Circulating 1,480,572 million books and materials, this is a 52 percent increase over the last two years.

* Reserving 214,788 computer sessions for library patrons to use a public computer.

* Hosting 40,735 patrons at various library programs, which represents a 57 percent increase when compared to the previous year.

"This past year, the Santa Clarita Public Library has seen tremendous growth thanks to a variety of resources and engaging services and programs including a growing book and media collection, accessible technology and free classes, clubs and programs," said Mayor Bob Kellar.

Fiscal year 2012-13 also marked the first anniversary for the Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library, who through a variety of fundraising activities raised nearly $50,000, which was used to support library materials and sponsor activities including the Summer Reading Program and free author events at the three Library branches.