The Lexington Public Library publishes annual reports to inform the community of the progress and status of library services in Lexington. Reaching invested stakeholders, like members of the Library’s various boards, is easy. Informing the public, however, requires something eye-catching and a quick read. Pictures, color, and a well-organized message are critical. When the library produced a printed report, printing costs ran to $5,074. This year, the Library opted to publish the annual report as an e-book. This not only saved money, but made the report itself a statement about the Library’s ongoing move toward digital resources.

The Lexington Public Library had experience publishing two e-books, one a 19th-century paperback with only one known hard copy remaining, the other an interactive story time guide for parents and childcare providers. The Library’s success with those two resources inspired the Library to delve into the Annual Report e-book project. A printed booklet from two years’ prior provided a template for the e-book. Full color, quality photography, and brief, well-organized text helped provide an inviting document from which customers and the public could easily glean information about the progress of library service in their community.

With the Annual Report in e-book format and housed on the Library’s website, it has reached a wider audience than previous annual reports that were printed. It was shared with stakeholders and since its initial publication has been easily shared with any customers, partners, and potential donors who want a summary of the Library’s work. It also remains available to those who visit the Library’s “About” page. As proud as the Library is of the accomplishments listed in the Annual Report, the format itself is an accomplishment and a testament to the Library’s successful move toward digital resources.