Less summer travel means big increase in library use

Everywhere we look this summer there are signs of the struggling economy. High gas prices, closed restaurants, empty storefronts.

But Americans are resilient. We refuse to sacrifice our lifestyles because of the economic downturn. We are just making adjustments.

For instance, we are still driving, but we are buying smaller cars that consume less gas. We still dine out, but just not as often.

We are still reading the latest best sellers and other books, but we are checking them out from the local library instead of buying them.

Carolyn Muci, marketing and public relations manager for the Mount Prospect Public Library, said this summer's circulation - and attendance at library programs - has broken all records, as people look for free ways to entertain themselves with borrowed books and movies.

"A number of patrons have commented to our staff that this summer they are foregoing the expensive, traditional, long summer vacation for shorter, closer driving trips," Muci explained. "As a result, they are checking out audiobooks to help keep the kids entertained. They love our extensive collection."

The Mount Prospect library staff has also noticed an increase in the types of questions asked that indicate people have not used the library in a long time or have never used it, like, "Where do I check out these books?"

Many are also surprised that the library does not charge a rental fee to check out videos.

During June, the library set a record with 83,159 items circulated - an increase of 8 percent over the same month last year.

July's records were even more impressive. They circulated 87,890 items, a 12 percent increase over July 2007.

Participation in library programs has also been up. Attendance at their youth summer reading program was up 14.5 percent this year. Teen reading program sign-ups were up even more dramatically - 26.5 percent and a whopping 67 percent more teens completed all three rounds of the program than last year.

Adults were also in the mood to participate. Their sign-ups were up 27.5 percent over last summer.

Usage of library facilities on-site has also increased.

"One of our patrons commented to our computer staff that he has been coming to the library to use our Wifi and thinks it is wonderful that we offer this service free," Muci said.

He told the staff that unlike coffee shops which charge customers for limited use of Wifi, the library allows free, uninterrupted Wifi usage. He has been going to the library one or two days per week and logging on for five or six hours at a time to write a blog and picture diary about his training regimen for an upcoming triathlon.

"Librarians have long believed that when the economy goes down, public library use goes up," Muci said. "But no one has been able to substantiate this belief with data until now."

"It is obvious to everyone on staff that we are breaking records this summer. There is no quiet time at all," said Marilyn Genther, executive director of the library.

"It is very exciting to see people rediscovering us and using this beautiful library," she continued. "We are a great resource, even when times are good, so, hopefully, people will continue to use us."

Cork recycling at Vino 100: Jennifer and Omar Martinez want to help save the planet, one cork at a time. The owners of Vino 100, a wine specialty store at 110 S. Emerson St., have partnered with TerraCycle to become Mount Prospect's first cork recycling station.

Residents are encouraged to take used wine bottle corks, both natural and synthetic, to Vino 100 during normal business hours, no matter where the wine was purchased. The store will ship the corks to TerraCycle for recycling.

TerraCycle was started by two Princeton graduates who had a simple plan to take waste, process it and turn it into a useful product.

For details about the program or Vino 100, log onto www.vino100MtProspect.com or call (847) 253-8466.