Whether you are looking for a good book to read or listen to, a new band to discover or a movie to watch, there is a good chance you can find it at your local library.

According to the most recent data collected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Wisconsin ranks in the top 10 for public library visits per capita, at 3.24 visits per person, trailing only Wyoming, Washington, D.C., Ohio and Kansas.

Kewaunee County is following that trend, as usage has continued to rise since the pandemic. Library officials from Algoma and Kewaunee were at Stodola’s IGA in Luxemburg on Monday promoting library card signups, with the grocery store serving as a designated drop-off site for the area.

Algoma Public Library’s Katie Haasch says many people are quickly learning about everything available at their library, including digital resources that allow people to check out books on their personal devices. She adds that the convenience factor for people who want to use the library in a more rural area is key.

Using the resources available from the Kewaunee and Algoma public libraries is not just good for your brain; it is also good for the county’s bottom line. In 2024, Kewaunee County paid Brown County more than $3,100 for the use of its library materials. That is a far cry from a decade ago, when Kewaunee County was paying more than $50,000 a year to use Brown County library materials.