FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Counters recorded on average almost 500 “entry clicks” a day at entrances to the Fairhope Public Library last month, for a total count of 14,804 in September, said Councilman Dan Stankoski at Monday’s City Council meeting.

“That’s why we built that library,” said Stankoski, who also quoted some other statistics regarding use of the library.

He said approximately 13,000 books were checked out in September.

“And that’s just in one month,” he said.

The library’s director announced her retirement earlier this month, and at Monday’s meeting the council added Freda Ward as a member of the library board.

“I think Freda can really be a help to us when hiring a new director,” said Martin Lanaux, library board chairman. “And once hired, Freda will be a great help to the new director.”

Ward is filling the unexpired term of Ginny Stimpson, which ends in June 2013.

Ward has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and worked for Shell Chemical Co. and E.I. DuPont, spending the last 15 years of her career as the environmental manager of DuPont’s crop protection plant in Mobile County.

Since her retirement in 2004, she has been an active Friend of the Fairhope Library, serving as its treasurer for two years and currently as president of the organization, according to city records.

In other business, the council:

• Purchased two city vehicles for the city administrator and administrative superintendent. The vehicles will be Chevrolet Malibus and are not to exceed $20,000 each.

• Executed an agreement between the city and the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department to provide fire protection service to the city within its fire protection jurisdiction.

• Reappointed the following members to the Recycling Committee: Pete Bremer, Gary Gover, Jeanine Normand and Mark Stejskal.

• Approved the award of a utility rate study for the electric department.

• Heard a proclamation from Mayor Tim Kant, announcing November as Fairhope Garden Club Month. The proclamation noted that on Nov. 4, 1929, “a group of 73 men and women gathered for the first meeting of the Fairhope Garden Club sponsored by the ladies of the Eastern Star.”

According to the records of the organization, the group’s dream was “to make Fairhope the most beautiful city in Baldwin County,” the proclamation stated.

“The intent of those first 73 members has been realized beyond their vision and thanks to the mutual partnership between the City of Fairhope and the Fairhope Garden Club for the past 80 years; Fairhope has remained the most beautiful city in Baldwin County.”