Beyond the books: The Wareham Free Library by the numbers

As the doors begin to close on 2025, the Wareham Free Library shows off a year stacked full of concerts, patrons and events. 

The fiscal year of 2025 saw the circulation of 112,399 items, up 4,500 from 2024. Library Director, Patrick Marshall said the biggest surprise has been how steady the numbers climb. 

"It's always surprising to see the increase," he said. 

Library goers borrow more eBook and electronic audio and video materials every year with roughly 28,000 items downloaded for use in 2025. The library had 1,802 adults attend 124 programs with the summer programming proving to be the most popular.

Concerts in 2025 had the highest average attendance with roughly 100 people each week. For children's programs, 133 events were attended by just over 5,000 people with more regular teens and tweens programs integrated into the library's schedule. 

With 22 teen programs and 166 people attending, Marshall said that the push for more age inclusivity stemmed from the want to "bridge the gap," between ages. 

"A lot of libraries have popular children's programs and teens are kind of just— dropped," he said. "You try to get people back using the library as they get older and there's a whole gap in the middle with teenagers."

Marshall said the teen-attendance has been steady and popular over the course of the year. 

The library is able to borrow materials from any library in the Commonwealth. Wareham users borrowed 19,175 items and lent out 14,000 items to other libraries.

The reference department comprised of one person answered 6,731 reference questions that included tech assistance and library assistance. Marshall said that services like this help provide the community with far more than just books.

"We have something for everybody," he said. "There is educational, cultural and recreational aspects of the library. "

With rising costs, Marshall said the library can provide services to those who can't afford them such as Wi-Fi and computers. 

"We have people coming to learn how to use the internet. Like— 'how do I use a computer? How do I apply for a job online?' All things that we take for granted." he said. 

Looking toward 2026, Marshall said more concerts are in order for the library. Thanks to a Mass Cultural Council grant there will be a spring concert series coming. 

The library is also pursuing a technology grant to be able to lend laptops and other devices to the community. Coming up on 35 years at the 59 Marion Road branch, celebrations are in order in May. 

"There is a lot of exciting things to look forward to," he said.