Library checkouts increase as economy heads south

Anyone who's worked behind a library checkout desk knows that when times are hard, people come to the library and check out more items than they do when the economy is thriving.

Several years ago, the American Library Association asked the University of Illinois Library Research Center to study library use over a five-year period to test the validity of this notion. Indeed, it was found that checkouts increased in periods of economic recession.

So far, the nation has avoided the label of a recession. Traditionally, the "R" word is not used unless there are two consecutive quarters of shrinkage in the gross domestic product. But increases in the cost of food and gasoline, the housing market debacle, and erosion of the labor market make it feel like a recession even without the official label.

At the library, checkouts are up. In an online survey, nearly all North Suburban Library System member libraries that responded reported an increase in circulation - we're getting reports of July 2008, increases ranging from 4 percent to 24 percent over July 2007. Maybe dramatic increases in library checkouts are the new indicator of economic recession. Think of it as a sort of canary that keels over before the mine that is our economy is declared unsafe.

At Des Plaines Public Library, Executive Director Sandra Norlin said, "Registration for library cards is up 3 percent after about seven years of stagnant figures. Use of online reference resources is up by 33 percent."

At Mount Prospect Public Library, Executive Director Marilyn Genther said that July 2008 saw the largest number of checkouts in the library's 65-year history at nearly 88,000 items.

Indian Trails Public Library celebrated checking out one million items in a fiscal year for the first time in their 49 years. A celebration was held on Aug. 1 honoring Kenneth Nimmo who checked out that record item. Lake Villa Public Library District also reported checking out more than 1 million items this past fiscal year.

Audiovisual items including CDs, DVDs, and audio books are hot items at the Dundee Township Public Library District, which reported a 15 percent increase in checkouts for July. Executive Director Elisa Topper attributed most of the increase to these items. Linda Weiss, executive director of Niles Public Library, reported a 24 percent increase in checkouts and also attributed much of the increase to audio visual items.

Laurel Vlcek, Acting Director of Vernon Area Public Library echoed participation increases, saying, "We've seen a record number of participants (974) in our Adult Summer Reading Club." Vlcek also noted that the library's free high speed computers have been especially busy this summer. "Lots of people seem to be using the computers for job searches."

Catherine Thompson, executive director at Lake Bluff Public Library, said, "We hear daily from grateful library users that we are an increased part of their lives as they strive to economize to meet higher gas and food prices. Several patrons mentioned having canceled the family Netflix membership or premium cable channels because they can come to the library for high quality DVDs for all ages. We have increased our programs for adults, including a popular series on cultural aspects of Chicago and one on local businesses."

These reports reflect trends in libraries nationwide, so be sure to take advantage of what your local library has to offer. Have a listen to this National Public Radio report, "Libraries Shine in Tough Economic Times" at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93041368.