Georgians' public library use continues to rise in Internet Age
GPLS News, February 2009
Georgia library visits
Across the country, public libraries are reporting a surge in use, and Georgia's are among them.
According to the latest annual statistics from the Georgia Public Library Service, the number of visits to the state's public libraries reached almost 37 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008.
"This is an increase of 15.7 percent in only two years," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch, who ties the increase at least in part to the economic hardships that many Georgians are experiencing.
"We are seeing more people in libraries throughout the entire state," Veatch said, "and the services provided by those libraries are in greater demand than ever. When people are looking for work, they use the library's free Internet access to assist their search. With people anxious to economize, they cut back on buying books, magazines and DVDs. Instead, they check them out at the library. These latest statistics show that Georgia's residents truly appreciate and utilize the terrific services their libraries provide."
Veatch pointed out that the number of public libraries in Georgia has topped 380 and will approach 390 by the end of the 2009 fiscal year as communities scramble to meet ever-increasing demands for service.
"The great value of public libraries has been recognized most recently by the voters of Fulton County," he said. "In November, they overwhelmingly approved a $275 million bond referendum -- the largest library building bond package in Georgia's history."
In addition to the increase in visitors, the number of circulated items at Georgia's libraries is up 7.2 percent in two years, from 40.7 million in 2006 to more than 43.6 million in 2008. People using public-access computer stations at Georgia's public libraries exceeded 14 million in 2008, up 5 percent from 2006. All figures are based on those provided by Georgia's public library systems to the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the Public Library Survey for FY2008.
According to Deputy State Librarian Julie Walker, the smaller percentage increase in computer use is deceptive, because most of the stations were already running at or near full capacity during business hours. "The increase in percentage is a reflection of more computers and a slightly greater capacity," she said. "The demand for increased bandwidth and additional public workstations, however, is even greater than what we are currently able to provide. When times get tough, people historically turn to libraries, and this year has been no exception. Our challenge is to continue to provide services to meet the demand."