MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) – Residents in the Mitchell area are using Mitchell Public Library more. In 2025, Mitchell Public Library experienced its highest use of the past ten years. Mitchell Public Library circulates (i.e., checks out) materials in a variety of formats to children, young adults, and adults. Total circulation of physical and digital items in 2025 was the highest in the past ten years. The library checked out 170,462 items in 2025 compared to 150,141 in 2024. Total circulation increased 14% from 2024 to 2025. Circulation of physical items in 2025 rose 18% from 2024, increasing from 102,370 to 120,965. Circulation of digital items in 2025 rose 4% from 2024, increasing from 47,771 to 49,497.
The library also had more people enter the building in 2025 than in 2024. The number of people coming into the library in 2025 was 56,233 compared to 54,865 in 2024, which is a 2% increase. In July 2025 the library had more than 6,000 visitors, which was the first month ever with more than 6,000 visitors.
Mitchell Public Library added new digital collections in 2025. In July, the library began offering more than 5,700 magazine titles with its subscription to OverDrive’s magazine collection. Library users can check out magazines from this collection using an app on their phone or tablet. In December, the library began offering a collection of comics and graphic novels from OverDrive. This collection includes over 4,000 of the best comic and graphic novels from Disney, Marvel, IDW, Image, and Dark Horse. Users can use the same mobile app to access this content.
Currently, the library is running its Winter Reading Challenge “Bookolopy” through March 28. Participants read books to claim properties on the game board. At the end of the reading challenge participants return their game boards to be eligible for prizes. Drawings for prizes will occur in early April. This is the fifth year for Bookopoly. Anyone interested in joining the Bookopoly fun can pick up a physical “game board” from the library. Game boards are available for adults, teens, and youth.