By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

4.9 percent increase in library circulation: We’ve always known Somervillians are thirsty for knowledge and now our latest library stats offer more proof. The libraries report a 4.9 percent increase in overall materials circulation when comparing the second quarters of fiscal years 2017 and 2018, and the trend remains upward. Between quarters one and two this year, circulation increased an additional 2.9 percent.

Library staff attributes the increase to not only more programming and events at the branches but also better quality programming like this past weekend’s Comic Con event at the Central Branch that drew approximately 1,300 attendees, many of whom appear to be new faces.  We’d like to see you at the library too. Learn more about library programming and events and browse the catalog of books, movies, music, and more at www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

Approximately 50 percent of residents within 10-minute walk to grocery stores: Access to good, nutritious food is a basic human need. Over the course of the past 18 months, Shape Up Somerville has been conducting a citywide basic food systems assessment to better understand food access and food equity in Somerville. The process has included focus group interviews with 75 residents, working group discussions, retail assessment, and more. The retail assessment revealed that currently only approximately 50 percent of residents are within a 10-minute walk of at least one of the eight grocery stores in Somerville. Among other goals for addressing food access and food insecurity, we aim to raise that number higher to ensure more residents are in walking distance of affordable fresh foods.

The assessment is set to be released later this spring, and after that action planning will begin so that we can best identify ways for people to more easily access nutritious food, whether that involves working with the 23 additional neighborhood markets in the city, improving  transportation routes to grocery stores, or other strategies. Keep an eye on www.somervillema.gov/departments/health-and-human-services/shape-up-somerville for updates.

58 percent increase in match transactions at the Somerville Mobile Farmers’ Market between 2015 and 2017: An important component of our overall strategy for improving food security is the Somerville Mobile Farmers’ Market. Over the past three seasons, the mobile market saw a significant increase in sales – nearly doubling sales from $15,210 in 2015 to $29,916 in 2017. The market has also seen a notable increase in use of the match program, with match transactions increasing 58 percent between 2015 and 2017. The match program provides a 50 percent discount to shoppers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, senior farmers’ market nutrition coupons, WIC farmers’ market coupons, or are Somerville Housing Authority residents. Match transactions accounted for 77 percent of all Somerville Mobile Farmers’ Market transactions in 2017.

The Mobile Market is gearing up for another successful season starting in July.  Check www.somervillemobilefarmersmarket.wordpress.com or www.facebook.com/shapeupsomerville for more information.

23^rd Annual Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony to honor 11 property owners: Somerville certainly boasts an interesting and unique history, and every May we celebrate Historic Preservation Month to keep that history alive. As part of this year’s festivities, 11 Somerville property owners will be recognized for their award-winning preservation work on the exterior of their properties. Honored properties will include both historically designated homes as well as older buildings in the city, and Somerville High School students will present their original drawings of each property to the owners.

The event will take place Thursday, May 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave. For more information on Historic Preservation Month, including a complete list of scheduled events, visit www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation.

Data-based decision making is at the core of how the City of Somerville develops policy and sets priorities. Every day we check the latest 311 stats, and throughout the week we meet for in-depth review of departmental data and city trends. The Data Download column shares some of the data we’ve been reviewing recently, as well as interesting updates. To see more Somerville Data, visit the online Somerville Data Farm at www.somervillema.gov/datafarm.