We found this to be quite the bittersweet story. It seems that attendances at libraries throughout out Massachusetts are up, drastically. With circulation at some libraries are up as much as 33 percent, librarians are both shocked and thrilled.
This was no surprise to us of course, given the state of the economy and high unemployment. The books, DVDs, audio, periodicals and online internet access that libraries offer work not only as pacifiers, but valuable places of hope and study. But the best part: It’s all free.
“…for the unemployed, libraries have become something like an office, with computers, Internet access, and even classes that teach how to write a resume and peddle it online. In a tough time, it seems, people are returning to a place where whispering trumps shouting and no credit card is necessary.” –Boston Globe
We don’t know what stats and percentages of people checking out literature pieces or romance novels in comparison to those wanting to educate themselves in a skill or conduct job searches. But we do know that motivation driving more people to libraries’ doorsteps – it’s called getting by.
Whether library attendees are looking to forget or improve, it signals an active part on the consumer to fill voids in an economically smart way. While we cheer those doing so, we can only hope that states like Massachusetts won’t make libraries one more victim of budget cuts.
