Community Library Network has one million checkouts in a year

It's a first for the Community Library Network - one million books and other materials have been checked out since Oct. 1, 2011.

That's an increase of almost 70,000 from the year before.

There were also an estimated 600,000 visits to district libraries in that time frame.

Attendance at youth, teen and adult programs was almost 70,000, more than the total population of all the district's cities combined.

"Our librarians are pleased with the increases across the board. While some have predicted that the Internet and e-books would hurt libraries, we are showing that is not the case," said director John Hartung.

In fact, the Community Library Network is taking advantage of e-services. Website visits totaled 596,880 since September 2011. Many virtual visitors are checking out e-books, with close to 2,500 downloaded in September.

The Community Library Network has locations in Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake as well as a Bookmobile.