The central branch of the Kitchener Public Library has seen a 20 per cent increase in registration this year, a percentage that is significant to the library according to Mary Chevreau, the CEO of KPL.

"It says that we are more vibrant than ever and needed more than ever in our community," she told CBC News.

"That's a direct result in refocusing our programming and making sure that we are resonating in our community and what they want to see."

The library launched a new strategic plan in March outlining the direction the library is headed.

Since the new plan, staff has seen increases in readership, social media traffic and usage of work labs at the library, among other things.

"We have seen an increase of 71 per cent in terms of our studio centre, which is our digital lab that we have at central," Chevreau said.

Kitchener Public Library says it has an active membership of about 100,000. (Matthew Kang/CBC )

New programming

The library's music performance programs, the digital hub and the instrument rental program have also contributed greatly, said Chevreau.

The instrument rental program for example, run in partnership with Sun Life Financial, has been a big hit with the community.

When it launched in the summer, all 150 instruments were rented out in the first 48 hours. As a result, Sun Life Financial donated an extra 50 instruments.

Chevreau said they will continue to expand their programs to meet the needs of the community in the future.

"We always are looking for ideas and programs that meet the community and are very innovative and progressive," she said.