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Wayne Public Library annual year report

By Sarah Shurge ice.
In the time of technology, li- With Kanopy, you can use your
braries may seem outdated or unnec- smart TV, mobile device, or com-
essary, however that couldn’t be puter to instantly stream movies and
farther than the truth. The Wayne TV series 24/7 from a collection of
Public Library is a staple in the over 31,000 popular titles from
downtown Wayne community that Warner Bros., MGM, BBC, Para-
deserves recognition. mount Pictures, A24, The History
From July 2024 - June 2025 the Channel, A&E, The Criterion Collec-
Wayne Public Library offered 137 tion, Kino Lorber, The Great
programs to the community, 402 Courses, and more.
people participated in the 2025 sum- Kanopy also includes a section
mer reading program, 740 new li- just for kids with carefully selected
brary cards were issued, 33,610 titles from Weston Woods, Sesame
physical items were checked out, Street, Jim Henson Productions,
there were 10,610 on-site com- Highlights for Children, Signed Sto-
puter/wifi logins, 49,976 in-person ries, and more.
visits, and 4,237 active library card To learn more or get started with
users. Libby, Hoopla, or Kanopy, visit
“We were thrilled to have nearly wayne.lib.mi.us and click the link
50,000 visits last year, and I fully ex- that says ‘download ebooks, audio-
pect that we'll exceed that milestone books, music, movies, or maga-
this year,” said Jody Wolak, Wayne zines’.
Public Library director. “I'm also re- Wayne Public Library The Wayne Library has plenty of
ally happy that we were able to issue brary users to find their selections. feature, which will save a digital ver- exciting events in store this month
740 new library cards. These new New digital security cameras sion of your library card. If you’ve got for all ages to enjoy.
cards represent people moving to the were installed in the library. your phone, you’ve got your card,” On Saturday, February 14th,
city, children getting their first li- In partnership with Wayne RESA, said Wolak. “I also love using the from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., the Wayne Li-
brary cards, and even people who've the Wayne Public Library, and the ‘Scan ISBN Barcode’ option, which brary will host The Snow Ball. This
lived in Wayne for a while but who City of Wayne, a Storybook Trail was allows you to scan the barcode on event is for all children with their
never sought out a library card be- created in Attwood Park. Each sign any book, see what libraries own it, adults to come dressed to the nines
fore.” along the half-mile path contains and put it on hold in a matter of sec- for a snowy celebration complete
This past year the Wayne Library pages from a book for families to onds.” with snacks, photos, music, and
replaced 14 computers that were read. Not only can you check out phys- dancing.
10+ years old. “Public response to the Story- ical books and DVDs in person at “This is the second year that we
“Now that we've finished replacing book Trail has been terrific, and it is the library, you can download are hosting the Snow Ball, our fancy
the backlog of outdated computers, a great example of cooperation be- ebooks, audiobooks, and music snow-themed winter gala,” said
my hope is that we can get on a rea- tween the city, library, and Wayne through Libby and hoopla. Wolak. “It’s a great opportunity for
sonable replacement schedule where RESA,” said Wolak. The Wayne Library circulated an children and their adults (parents,
we replace a portion of the library's A mobile app was launched for all-time record high number of grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) to
computers every few years to keep the library, allowing users to easily 13,212 digital items through Libby dress up and enjoy a special outing
our technology up to date without it search the catalog, place holds, man- and Hoopla. together.”
growing into an overwhelming and age their accounts, and browse up- In addition to Libby and hoopla, On Monday, February 16th, from
expensive project,” said Wolak. coming events. Be sure to scan the your library card now allows you to 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., the Wayne Library
The Wayne Library leveled and la- QR code to download the app. access a huge variety of streaming will host Teen Mini Canvases. This is
beled all books in the Youth Readers “One of my favorite features on video content through Kanopy, the
collection, making it easier for li- the library’s app is the ‘My Barcode’ Wayne Library’s newest digital serv- See LIBRARY, page 5

4 · February 2026 · The Wayne Dispatch