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Throngs checking out library in tight economy

Tough times cited as branches see customer surge

By Julie Hutchinson, Special to the Rocky

Published February 2, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Commerce City resident Matt Manuel, 34, left, works on his laptop computer at the Commerce City Branch Library.

Photo by Silvia Razgova / Special To The Rocky

Commerce City resident Matt Manuel, 34, left, works on his laptop computer at the Commerce City Branch Library.

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Lots of people have trimmed their budgets and reined in spending, but one card in their wallets is getting plenty of use in these gloomy economic times: their library card.

From the sprawling suburbs to the heart of downtown Denver, public libraries are counting record numbers of visitors, items checked out and requests for assistance with job hunting, resume writing and do-it-yourself guides.

The number of card-carrying library customers is increasing right along with the unemployment rate.

Public libraries nationwide are seeing a surge in demand for services, from book checkouts to help using library computers to apply for unemployment.

The American Library Association reported that 68 percent of adults in the United States carried a library card in 2007 - the greatest number since counting began in 1990 and a 5 percent increase over 2006. In Denver, nearly three out of every four residents have a library card, according to the Denver Public Library.

In Aurora, librarians report a 28 percent hike in requests for help with reference materials and a 17 percent hike in materials used at the library's seven locations.

"We're just flooded with people," said Patti Bateman, manager of library services, who works in the main library on East Alameda Parkway. "By 9:30 every morning, nearly every chair is full. The public lounge is full. People are here with their laptops, lined up in front of the reference people. It's amazing."

Bateman said the Aurora Public Library tallied a 25.3 percent increase in cardholders in 2008.

"A lot of them are looking for jobs, trying to learn to fill out applications online. Others are trying to figure how to file for unemployment," she said.

The Rangeview Library District - which covers Bennett, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Thornton and unincorporated Adams County - reports a 40 percent hike in card holders in 2008.

"Over the past year we've seen it increase due to a number of things, not least of which is the suffering economy," said Steve Hansen, communications director for the district.

In Jefferson County, items checked out last year increased 12 percent and demand is up at all 10 locations for library computers and Internet access.

"The library is really an indicator of changes in economic times," said Bethany Frisbie, public information manager for the library. Librarians there began noticing a shift in 2006.

"There were more questions about books on resumes and networking," Frisbie said. "And of course we've had more parents coming in who used to buy books for their kids but can't afford to do that anymore."

The Denver Public Library started noticing a spike in business in October, said spokeswoman Celeste Jackson.

Overall, the Denver Public Library's 23 locations saw a 10 percent increase in visitors last year.

Jackson said that in tough economic times people rediscover public libraries and their wealth of free materials.

Demand is up for assistance with business resources as well. The Denver Public Library recently bought a $10,000 database that allows targeted demographic searches, an expense prohibitive to many small businesses but free to any library cardholder.

Although libraries are breaking records, budgets aren't growing to accommodate demand, and library officials are keeping a wary eye on the bottom line.

"The typical dichotomy of libraries is that usage goes up as money goes down," said Nicole Steffen of the Colorado State Library's Library Research Service.

There's another new twist librarians are noticing, said Littleton Library Director Margery Smith. "The reference questions we're getting are a little more complicated than they used to be because so many people get the simple answers off the Internet."

Time for a face-lift

Seven Denver branch libraries will close temporarily this year for remodeling and improvements paid for by a bond issue approved by Denver voters. Improvements include upgrades and replacements in plumbing, electrical and computer technology, as well as installing self-checkout stations.

Starting Feb. 16, three branches will close for about four months:

* Park Hill branch, 4705 Montview Blvd.

* Hampden branch, Denver, 9755 E. Girard Ave.

* Decker branch, 1501 S. Logan St.

In mid-June, two libraries will close for about four months:

* Ross-Cherry Creek library, 305 Milwaukee St.

* Woodbury branch, 3265 Federal Blvd.

In mid-October, two libraries will close for about four months:

* Bear Valley branch, 5171 W. Dartmouth Ave.

* Montbello branch, 12955 Albrook Drive

Comments

  • February 2, 2009

    7:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Salchak_Toka writes:

    Just in time for library budgets to be slashed to ribbons again, it seems.

  • February 2, 2009

    9 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Scott writes:

    WHAT??? You mean to tell me that Al Gore's first invention, the internet, hasn't made libraries obsolete? Whoda thunk it ... NOT!

    When ever a bond/funding issue is on the ballot for libraries, I ALWAYS vote for it.

    Scott

  • February 2, 2009

    9:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheDenverB writes:

    Scott, you must be a hoot at parties....

    /sarcasm

  • February 2, 2009

    10:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    davies writes:

    Oh. I thought this was a story about women wearing cheap tight skimpy underwear at the library.

  • February 2, 2009

    11:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    IRUNMAN writes:

    LOL davies

    At first glance at the headline, I thought that same thing.

  • February 2, 2009

    11:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Timberline writes:

    LMAO Davies, I thought the same too!

  • February 2, 2009

    1:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    squeakywheel writes:

    "The reference questions we're getting are a little more complicated than they used to be because so many people get the simple answers off the Internet."

    Translation:

    The volume of questions has diminished drastically and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the recession or this story.

  • February 3, 2009

    2:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HankReardon writes:

    davies,IRUNMAN,Cartman -
    I was thinking the same thong... I mean thing too! ;)