Cathy Ingalls Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Friday, February 13, 2009 10:00 pm
Visits, questions and computer usage are all up
The number of people using the Albany Public Library during the last few months of 2008 compared to the same period the year before is way up, said library Director Ed Gallagher.
Other area libraries, such as those in Corvallis and Salem, are reporting the same uptick, which librarians say is common during economic downturns.
Visits to the two Albany libraries are up 8 percent, questions to the reference desk are up 35 percent, and attendance at children's programs has climbed by 34 percent, Gallagher said.
Reference Librarian John Burton has noticed a big upswing in those using computers to create resumes. For the first time ever, he's also noting that people are "apparently filing for unemployment or doing their paperwork for maintaining unemployment," he said.
People are in line longer waiting to use the library's computers, and most of them are adults, Burton added.
He said he's noticed more homeless people seeking shelter in the library. Burton said he now knows the name of at least one man, who is living out of his car.
Burton also has seen more people looking at Craigslist.
"This might be folks attempting to sell off their goodies or to pick up on bargains," he said.
Others are using the computers to start new businesses.
One computer user created his own publicity posters and another started a party service.
Library aide Mona Farmer notes an increase in video checkouts, especially the current, popular movies.
"I believe it is because we have more video patrons as opposed to each patron using more," she said.
Farmer also has noticed more resume and interviewing books being checked out, but not as many as in past economic downturns.
"I get quite a few people pointing out what a bargain the library is," she said. "We are steadily becoming important in more of the public's world."
Young Adult Librarian Doris Hicks said she is helping many people who had never before been in the library.
There is no activity now at Albany's main or downtown libraries. Both are closed until March 2, when the new library at 2450 14th Ave. S.E opens. The downtown library will reopen on that date as well.