By Melissa Murphy/ MMurphy@TheReporter.com
Posted: 02/15/2009
Computers were busy Friday with patrons at the Dixon library. Library staffers report an increase in the number of people using the county's libraries. (Rick Roach/RRoach@TheReporter.com)
The slumping economy means more business at Solano County libraries.
Library staffers are seeing an increase in the number of people taking advantage of library services.
Ann Cousineau, director of library services for Solano County, said library use has jumped 15 percent.
She explained that more families come in to use the DVD collection because borrowing them from the library is free.
Using the computers has always been popular, but lately they're being used more for creating resumes and filling out job applications.
"We also see a jump in borrowed books," she said. "Instead of buying them at bookstores, they come here."
Gregg Atkins, district librarian for Dixon's Public Library, agreed.
"The economy drives people to the library," he said. "We're a safety net."
Although the library in Dixon is comparatively small, its circulation numbers and patron count is up. The library has seen a 30 percent increase in circulation and walk-ins are up 15 percent, the highest numbers the library has seen.
Atkins added that it's sad people use the computers to fill out their Employment Development Department forms for unemployment compensation.
"Everything is done online now and some of those people don't have Internet," he said.
Borrowing from SNAP, the Solano Napa and Partners library system, which allows patrons at one library to borrow books from a partnering library, is up 20 percent.
The economy accounts for the increases, but Atkins insists it's more than that.
He explained the library offers more programs and events and they've established a good brand for the Dixon Library.
Unfortunately, the libraries for elementary and junior high schools in Dixon have been closed. That means instead of being the second choice if schools didn't carry a particular book, the Dixon Library is now the first choice.
"The classes come to us now," he said. "We used to be the backup and now they're coming to us first."
