The Chilton-Clanton Public Library is once again joining public libraries across the state in participating in “Snapshot Day: One Day in the Life of Alabama Public Libraries,” Sept. 24.

The purpose of the event is to show the importance of public libraries and library systems in the state of Alabama, according to a press release from the Alabama Public Library.

Library Snapshot Day provides a way for libraries of all types across the state to show what happens in a single day in their libraries.

Chilton-Clanton Public Library Director Kelly Easterling will compile statistics, customer comments, photographs and other data chronicling a typical day at the library.

The results at Chilton-Clanton Public Library will be added to those of public libraries across Alabama to show how libraries provide invaluable services to Alabama citizens.

“Snapshot Day” is a project of the Alabama Public Library Service.

Easterling compiled statistics about the library for the months June-August including how many visitors came to the library during those months.

The library had 14,273 visitors, 388 individuals participating in the summer reading program during the month of June, 209 individuals attending movies on Wednesday afternoons, 15,576 items were checked out from the library including books, audio books, DVDs and Blu-Ray, there were 354 new patrons and 618 new items added to the library’s collection.

“These totals even surprise me,” Easterling said. “It is important for people to see these totals and be aware of the important role our library plays in our community.”

The concept of “Snapshot Day” originated in New Jersey as a joint effort between the New Jersey Library Association and the New Jersey State Library.

Soon after, many states began emulating the effort, according to the website for the American Library Association.

At the 2010 American Library Association midwinter meeting, the ALA Advocacy Coordinating Group, in conjunction with the Chapter Relations Committee, agreed to take this initiative to a national level, asking that states across the country find a date to conduct their own Library Snapshot Day.

The Chilton-Clanton Public Library is ranked as the 24th largest public library in Alabama out of 225.

A “traffic” counter in the front of the library tracks all incoming visitors, and staff members write down the total of the traffic at the end of each day.

For more information about the library, contact Easterling at (205) 755-1768.