Library Usage Is Up
Yes, the humble public library is back, after years of languishing in the shadow of fancy chain bookstores with comfy chairs and overpriced coffee shops.With the recession forcing people to cut down on unnecessary expenses, libraries nationwide have reported a significant increase in visitors. Library card requests are up 27 percent in San Francisco, for example. And the Boston library has seen a 13 percent rise in visitors (37 percent for some locations). Some of these new patrons have forgone expensive home Internet service and use free time on library computers. Others can no longer afford to buy books and/or movies and have decided to borrow instead.
(Source: New York Times and Boston Globe)
I’m in the UK, and I’ve certainly noticed an increase in the number of people using my local library. Also, its pretty good as a value for money business centre. PC’s, Fax, copying, though as it is after all a library, long loud conversations on your mobile phone are a bit one step beyond.