Public library use climbing as people try to save

Monday, November 02, 2009 1:31 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

Rowan Public Library

When the going gets tough, the tough still get going — to the library.

Attendance is up at the Rowan Public Library, and showing no signs of slowing down.

"It's been steadily increasing over the last couple of months, and our attendance is high compared to the same time last year," said library manager Suzanne White, who oversees library public services.

Attendance climbed 4 percent in September compared to a year ago, according to the most recent Rowan Public Library stats, and circulation of materials is up 7 percent.

"The trend appears to be continuing," said White, who has noticed more people coming in and taking advantage of resources including career and business materials and computer training. "The library brings people together in an inclusive, supportive environment — we're helping people look for and apply for jobs online and find information and resources to improve their skills and education."

For many in Rowan County, it seems the libraries' free services are ever more needed — and adding up to big savings.

Library users have free access to the Internet, newspapers, magazines, books and movies.

The library is definitely a money saver for Kimber Huffman and her family, who are all big readers. "I come to the library all the time," she said, "maybe twice a week or more.

"We check out movies and books, and my girls have been coming to story times since they were babies. We get help with all kinds of homework assignments and research information for ourselves. It's my first go-to for almost everything — always before the bookstore or the movie rental places. Everything's free, and the staff is always so friendly and helpful."

Whitey Harwood uses the library to get information on hard-to-find topics, biographies and local lore. "I really like the magazine exchange at the South Rowan library, too," he said.

Dr. Rowland King and his wife, Marilyn, are retired and moved here three years ago. They have been attending computer classes at the library these last three years.

"We like the variety of classes, everything from working with digital photos, to using e-mail, buying and selling on eBay, trip planning, searching Google and social networking — and we are really impressed with the instructor, who is so supportive and patient."

"We come here all the time," said James Holcomb, who was with his son, Joshua, 2, last week at the South Rowan Library. "We check out children's books and I get information I need, for myself and for my family, and I check out DVDs, too. I also use the genealogy room in Salisbury to work on my family tree. I don't have Internet at home, so it's easy to come here and get the information I need, and the people who work here are really helpful."

"As state and county funding becomes tighter, it becomes more of a challenge —but more important than ever, to meet the growing needs of our community," said Library Director Jeff Hall.