Thursday, February 19, 2009
Libraries and today's economy
According to a report on CBS News that aired earlier this month, it was reported that libraries are experiencing an increased demand for their services. Children's programs are filled to capacity and there is a wait to use a computer. With more and more people becoming unemployed, checking out books instead of purchasing them has become a more viable option for those that love to read. According to this report "approximately 18 million people visited the library in 2008, which is two million more than last year," Many adults are using library computers to search for new jobs, type up resumes and just have some quite time. So my question is, "If the public turns to libraries during difficult economic times, why are libraries the first item that government wants to cut from the budget?"
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Its not just the economy. There's blog out there pretaining to Information Overload. People are useing libraries more often because of it. Im guessing they need to use more of the digital aspect of the library as well as the books. Since many people cant afford computers the libraries are over run. One blog reffered to Information Overload as a falsehood. That it doesnt exist except to have one more thing to complain about. I believe people need more information from libraries in order to keep up with societal woes.
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