By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ERLANGER - Kentucky's busiest branch library has shattered its own record in its first month in a state-of-the-art new building.

Lisa Laudenslayer holds daughter Sophia, 1, on her shoulder as she helps another daughter select a compact disc at the library. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

Since the Oct. 13 opening of its $7 million facility on Kenton Lands Road, the library system has broken its previous monthly use record for the Erlanger branch, according to branch librarian Anita Carroll.

"During the first full month at the new location, we checked out 88,932 items,'' Ms. Carroll said. "That's outrageous when you consider that we checked out 54,400 things during our last record month in June 2001.''

The Erlanger branch is drawing 2,000 to 2,500 people a day, about 1,000 to 1,500 more daily patrons than it used to, Ms. Carroll said. While some of the increase comes from adding Sunday hours at the new building, library officials aren't sure what's caused the rest of the surge in business. They're pleased with the response, though.

The increased usage has prompted the branch to:

Increase its children's programs.

Add four basic computer classes.

Hire three part-time staff.

Users of the new library, which features 280 periodicals, also checked out 5,000 magazines during the 18 days in October that it operated - double the normal business.

"Even at our busiest times, it never feels like it's too crowded,'' Ms. Carroll said. "People are using the library and they're enjoying it. They seem to be finding things without a lot of assistance.''

State librarian Jim Nelson was among the 4,000 who attended the library's grand opening.

"It just blew me away,'' Mr. Nelson said. "I've just never seen that kind of turnout at a library opening, and I get to quite a few."

Erlanger's population in the 2000 Census was 16,676, but anyone who lives in Kenton County and Northern Kentucky is allowed to use the library. And they are - with the library posting circulation figures above those of Kentucky's two largest cities' top branches.

With 555,970 items circulated last year, the Erlanger branch beat the circulation figures of the top branch libraries in Lexington and Louisville.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com