Friday, Jul. 11, 2008

Patronage increases with economic slowdown

By A. Lee Graham

Staff Writer

Checking out library books is so passé.

These days, DVDs, audio books — even online job searching — brings folks to the literary gathering spots.

"We have been very busy these past few months," said Katherine Boyer, director of the Roanoke Public Library.

With rising fuel prices stretching family budgets, library use has multiplied in recent months. Visitors seek ways to pinch pennies, even if it means forsaking the corner bookstore.

"When the economy is low, libraries have more business," said Boyer, noticing numbers of visitors surpassing even customarily high summer volume.

"The heat keeps folks in the library checking out books or videos to rent at home."

But economic uncertainty has made things different this year. From Roanoke to Keller, library traffic is unusually brisk.

"It’s up this year," said Jana Prock, director of the Keller Public Library.

So far this fiscal year, customers have checked out 283,000 books, DVDs and other items compared with 271,000 at the same time last year. Foot traffic is up, too, with 193,322 customers so far this year. That’s an increase of 12,000, according to library statistics.

Twenty-seven years in library service has taught Prock one thing: "When times are tough, people do turn to the public library."

Jayne Hudson agrees. As director of the Justin Community Library, Hudson has served customers since the library first opened in 1987. And interest in the Pafford Street resource has only risen.

"We’ve seen quite an increase," said Hudson. "Especially with computers, there are so many people out of work doing resumes and job seeking. I think it’s probably the economy behind it."

Card catalogs and horn-rimmed librarians "shshhhing" customers no longer characterize libraries; instead, lively discussion groups and dizzying inventories of audio books, DVDs — even podcasts — enliven today’s public library.

In Roanoke, reading promises boys and girls fun in the summer sun.

Children enrolling in the library’s Summer Reading Fun, Toys and Games for a Cool Summer program on Saturday receive a one-day swimming pass to the Roanoke Community Pool.

The first-day freebie is expected to attract many kids looking for literature without forsaking outdoor recreation.

"We have game days where kids play board games and read books where they get certain incentives for reading," said Prock, promising free circus tickets for those reading five books.

Even Barnes & Noble Booksellers gets in on the act.

What some may consider a competitor to public libraries actually lends a hand.

"Barnes & Noble gives free books to kids when they read a certain number," Boyer said.

And that applies to the Southlake store.

"Summer reading is certainly always big, and this year is no exception," said Tommie Newberry, an assistant manager with the Southlake Town Square retailer, a stone’s throw from the city’s public library.

Despite a rise in library use nationwide, Newberry reports no lag in book sales.

"No, business is great. Sales are good."

Whether selling books or struggling to move inventory, retailers know household budgets are squeezed.

And the same customers paying hard-earned money for hardcover novels also patronize public libraries.

"People are saying, 'Why am I spending more for books when I can borrow for free?’" said Prock.

Prock credits the Keller Senior Activities Center nearby for a rise in older visitors.

"Seniors come there for lunch and then here to check out books. They seem impressed by what today’s library has to offer."