Columbia libraries see increase in visitors

Library programs teach residents how to fill out online applications.

By Will Guldin

Published April 14, 2009

As National Library Week begins and the economy worsens, more people are using public libraries to find new jobs and better educate themselves.

Libraries across the country are seeing increases in the number of visitors. The American Library Association said in 2008 Americans visited their libraries more than 1.3 billion times and checked out more than 2 billion items. This accounts as a 10 percent increase in usage compared to the last economic recession in 2001.

Kris Farris, Daniel Boone Regional Library system spokeswoman, said Columbia Public Library has seen an increase in visitors from 1,900 per day in 2007 to about 2,000 per day this year. She attributed the increase to both the economic crisis and growth that would be expected as the library increases the number of services it offers.

MU Libraries spokeswoman Shannon Cary said Ellis Library has seen its number of visitors rise 50 percent from last year. She said July 2007 to February 2008 saw approximately 440,000 visitors and July 2008 to February 2009 saw more than 675,000.

Cary said this increase has little to do with the economy. Instead, she said rising enrollment rates at MU, along with the closure of Brady Commons and an increase in the number of computers available for use at the library has led more students to use the library to study.

Farris said because of the recession Columbia Public Library is now offering free classes that teach people how to write online applications and how to write resumes. She said the library began offering the services because many applications are online-only now, and some people, who have had more traditional manufacturing jobs, don't always have the computer expertise to fill them out.

"No two online applications are the same," Farris said. "If you don't have much computer experience it can be hard because each application has a different setup. Sometimes you are able to save your progress and other times you aren't, so you have to have all your information ready to enter in because if you have to send it off you don't want it to be wrong."

Barbara Duffield, policy director for the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, said libraries play a vital role in helping people get back on their feet.

"For people who aren't connected to regular education systems, libraries are an important educational source," Duffield said. "Whether someone is looking for a job or just trying to better themselves, libraries are important."

Michael Stoops, National Coalition for the Homeless executive director, said in addition to providing educational resources, libraries provide shelter for those who are unemployed and homeless. He said many locations that provide sleeping quarters for the homeless are closed during the day, so libraries have become the "de facto day shelter" for many homeless.

Farris said one of the purposes of libraries is to support the community, especially during hard times.

"That's just part of who we are and what we do," Farris said. "The library is one place where everybody is welcome and as long as you're not disruptive you're welcome to come and read or take part in our programs."