The Tampa Tribune writes:
The New Port Richey Public Library staff has embraced its role as trendsetter, drawing praise and bringing in patrons.
The Florida Library Association tapped New Port Richey as its Library of the Year, recognizing creativity in programming, diversity of services and innovations worth emulating....Libraries in Pasco's cooperative set a record with almost 2.1 million items circulated last year, and New Port Richey saw in excess of 37,000 more patrons and a 43 percent boost in program attendance..."Libraries are becoming more of a cultural place," said Ann Scott, events and community outreach director at the award-winning library. "You have your home and your place of work. And then there's a third place you hang out."We want to be that third place."
The city library's director, Susan Dillinger,[in red, upper right] attributes that rapid growth to the innovative programs scheduled by Scott and outgoing youth services librarian Tracey Pinto.
