A story in last Thursday's Times told of two area libraries that received poor marks in a Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) state audit.
The news wasn't all bad. Most of the eight libraries in our coverage area received average or good marks, and a comment by Johnson Public Library Director Nita Burke was intriguing.
She said libraries in general are experiencing a resurgence, given the state of the economy.
"Libraries are becoming more popular because of the recession," Burke said. "People want to check out books because our landfills are getting filled with books."
Public library use continues to grow. The most recent comprehensive data available from the American Library Association (ALA) shows that the number of visits per year to U.S. public libraries increased 61 percent from 1994 to 2004. That percentage is likely even higher now.
Libraries should be used to their fullest extent, not just to avoid economic woes, but for the betterment of everyone's knowledge.
During the same decade, circulation increased 28 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Part of the benefit and draw of libraries are the various media available. A national poll conducted by the ALA in 2007 showed that all age groups go to the library primarily to check out or read books.
Forty-four percent of people under age 35 used library computers, compared with 22 percent of those 55 and older. Twenty-two percent of those 55 and older went to the library for cultural programs or exhibits, compared with 11 percent of people under 35 years old.
Libraries are catching on to being a buffer against recession. Ninety-nine percent of libraries over free Internet access, compared to 25 percent 10 years ago.
Public access to digital information and technology is a draw for libraries, but they do so much more. Monroe Public Library is one example. Library staff members strive to find cultural programs to bring to the library, and they do an excellent job of promoting those events.
A study by the Urban Libraries Council said libraries address such pressing issues as literacy, workforce training, small-business vitality and quality of community life.
Local libraries, even those in Argyle and Darlington which received poor ranks in the LAB state audit, should strive to start or continue these services for their communities.
A more informed public is a public better able to make change.
The news wasn't all bad. Most of the eight libraries in our coverage area received average or good marks, and a comment by Johnson Public Library Director Nita Burke was intriguing.
She said libraries in general are experiencing a resurgence, given the state of the economy.
"Libraries are becoming more popular because of the recession," Burke said. "People want to check out books because our landfills are getting filled with books."
Public library use continues to grow. The most recent comprehensive data available from the American Library Association (ALA) shows that the number of visits per year to U.S. public libraries increased 61 percent from 1994 to 2004. That percentage is likely even higher now.
Libraries should be used to their fullest extent, not just to avoid economic woes, but for the betterment of everyone's knowledge.
During the same decade, circulation increased 28 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Part of the benefit and draw of libraries are the various media available. A national poll conducted by the ALA in 2007 showed that all age groups go to the library primarily to check out or read books.
Forty-four percent of people under age 35 used library computers, compared with 22 percent of those 55 and older. Twenty-two percent of those 55 and older went to the library for cultural programs or exhibits, compared with 11 percent of people under 35 years old.
Libraries are catching on to being a buffer against recession. Ninety-nine percent of libraries over free Internet access, compared to 25 percent 10 years ago.
Public access to digital information and technology is a draw for libraries, but they do so much more. Monroe Public Library is one example. Library staff members strive to find cultural programs to bring to the library, and they do an excellent job of promoting those events.
A study by the Urban Libraries Council said libraries address such pressing issues as literacy, workforce training, small-business vitality and quality of community life.
Local libraries, even those in Argyle and Darlington which received poor ranks in the LAB state audit, should strive to start or continue these services for their communities.
A more informed public is a public better able to make change.
