News Report 5

April 15th 2009
"Economy highlights libraries"
Bucks County Courier Times
Amanda Cregan
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times/courier_times_news_details/article/28/2009/april/15/economy-highlights-libraries-1.html

This story was focused on how public libraries, namely Bucks County Free Library, have seen a rise in visitors. The cause for the surge is the recent economic recession which has struck, and left many citizens a lot worse off in the wallet. A lot of newcomers are visiting because they cannot afford to buy the books they used, when they can just read them for free now. Others have come for the free computer access, which enables them to do anything from learn how to use it, to look for jobs online. With not everyone having access to a computer it certainly helps bridge the divide. A lot of people are realizing that the free alternatives the library provides are greatly needed in this time of economic turmoil. The recent surge in numbers has left some library personnel stretched a little thin, but some workers, like branch manager Dianne Malvoso, is happy that these people are “taking advantage of them more than ever.”
I found this story really uplifting because almost every other story I have come across recently relating to libraries has been a negative one. Most stories are about either libraries being downsized or disbanded altogether, so to see a library really doing well in these times is good to hear. I also think it is a good thing that people are starting to use these public libraries and their resources; the story about the woman who bought a book from Borders only to ask herself why immediately after resonated with me, too. I have been doing that a little bit lately, and I think a lot of often forget how accessible and price-friendly these public libraries are. I just hope that these library personnel do not get taken advantage of at these jobs now, as most of them are seemingly wearing several different hats every day they come to work.