Connecticut
Connecticut Residents Accelerated Their Return to Libraries in 2023, Data Shows — Connecticut by the Numbers
Across public libraries in Connecticut, 2023 was a banner year, with COVID increasingly in the rear-view mirror. Newly released reports include metrics that reveal increased use of libraries for a range of purposes. Library visits, circulation, and program attendance have all increased, with library visits having doubled since FY2021. Libraries across Connecticut were visited by over 12.2 million people in FY2023.
Alongside these upward trends, there are a number of noteworthy highlights included in two reports, “CT’s Public Libraries: A Statistical Profile, 2022-2023” and “Statistical Trends in CT Public Libraries, 2023 [PDF]”:
• Audio downloads have jumped by 17% since last year and 80% since FY2018, showing the popularity of apps like Libby, Hoopla, and Palace Project. There has also been nearly a 50% jump in borrowing of physical audio.
• The number of non-library community meetings held in libraries rose to 51,363 in FY2023, an increase of over 100% from FY2022, demonstrating that libraries are meeting communities’ needs for space.
• Introduced during the pandemic, online library card registration appears here to stay with over 75% of libraries participating. With this upgrade of ease and access, libraries have the power to increase the number of registered borrowers across the state.
Three Rocky Hill firefighters were honored Monday night for their part in a rescue on the Connecticut River in March.
Emergency crews responded to Ferry Park in Rocky Hill on March 23 in response to a report of a vehicle in the river.
When they arrived, they found a woman in a Jeep about 35 feet out from the riverbank.
Crews broke a window and pulled the woman to safety after about 10 minutes, according to fire officials.
The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Monday evening, Captain William Kelly, Captain Roberto Leone, and Lt. Travis Gerace-Hicks were awarded the fire department’s valor award for their rescue efforts.
ROCKY HILL — A man from South Carolina is facing charges after cutting down light poles along the highway in Rocky Hill, Connecticut State Police said.
Lamont Carlson Tucker, 62, of Myrtle Beach, is charged with first-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree larceny, police said.
Police said troopers responded to reports of “an individual cutting light poles” around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Tucker was released on a $3,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in New Britain June 12, police said.
The North Haven Police Department is continuing to investigate after a male was shot while riding a moped on Sunday night.
According to police, a 20-year-old male was shot in the area of Whitney Avenue near the Hamden town line.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.
No other information has been released.
Police are continuing to investigate, and say that there will be a heavy police presence in the area of Whitney Avenue and Skiff Street.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Haven Police Department.
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