The Swampscott Library welcomed 63,409 visitors in fiscal year 2025, a 15% increase from the previous year, and enough to fill Fenway Park nearly twice.
“And nearly half of our neighbors now use their library cards regularly. That’s an incredible sign of how central the library has become in the daily lives of our patrons,” Library Director Jonathan Nichols told the Swampscott Tides.
According to its fiscal year 2025 report, the library had 6,841 active users and answered more than 12,000 questions.
“From borrowing over 197,000 books and materials to enjoying 36,000 e-books and audiobooks, our community is taking full advantage of everything the library offers,” Nichols said.
More than 7,600 visitors attended 389 programs, ranging from storytimes to workshops and lectures. Patrons also used 2,305 museum passes, and meeting rooms were booked 674 times, a 28% increase over the previous year.
“This year also marked some special milestones: the opening of the Makerspace, ‘The Tank,’ where creativity and learning come alive, and the 2nd Annual Patron Appreciation Day, where neighbors came together to celebrate the library and each other,” Nichols said.
The Tank is equipped with high-tech tools, including a Glowforge laser cutter and engraver, 3D scanner, tufting guns for rug-making, iPads loaded with Procreate, a Panasonic LUMIX G7KS 4K mirrorless camera, an embroidery machine, and a Bambu Lab X1 3D printer.
This year, both The Tank and the children’s room were brightened with new murals. Sheila Billings designed an abstract piece for the makerspace, inspired by circuit board patterns. The children’s room now features an under-the-sea mural, where creatures are depicted reading, playing games, and exploring their world.
Across the hall from the children’s space, fiscal year 2025 also marked the one year anniversary of the teen room and its website.
Fiscal year 2025 also marked the one-year anniversary of the teen room, “The Fathoms,” located just across the hall from the children’s area. The Fathoms serves patrons in grades six through twelve, offering a space for creativity and connection. Programs include an anime club, a crafting group, and hands-on events like making shell dioramas.
“The numbers are impressive, but what really stands out is the sense of connection,” Nichols told the Swampscott Tides. “Every visit, every checkout, every question answered is a reminder that our library isn’t just about books. It’s about people. It’s about community. And it’s about building a place where everyone feels welcome and inspired.”
