Two new national studies released April 15 show that Americans are using their libraries more than ever, and 91% of adults believe public libraries will play an important role in the future, despite all of the information available on the Internet.

The studies were commissioned by the Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA) as part of its five-year Campaign for America's Libraries released during National Library Week 2002, April 14-20. The ALA, with more than 64,000 members, is the voice of America's libraries and the millions of people who depend on them.

Librarians have long believed that when the economy goes down, public library use goes up. But no one has been able to substantiate this belief with data - until now. The ALA contracted with the University of Illinois Library Research Center (LRC) to study library use over the last five years at the 25 U.S. public libraries serving populations of 1 million or more. Using data from 18 of those large libraries, the study found that circulation has increased significantly since March 2001, when the National Bureau of Economic Research pegged the beginning of the latest recession. Using statistical analysis, the LRC found that circulation in Mach 2001 was 8.3% higher than would be expected from the trend observed since January 1997. Following the events of September 11, circulation in October 2001 exceeded the trend by 11.3%.

"This data confirms what librarians have seen from experience - that in times of economic difficulties people turn to their libraries and librarians," said ALA President John W. Berry. "Libraries are America's great information equalizers - the only place people of all ages and backgrounds can find and freely use such a diversity of resources, along with the expert guidance of librarians."

In fact, in a separate survey also released April 15, the ALA found that, overwhelmingly, adults are satisfied with their public libraries (84% compared to 7% who were not satisfied). While current public library spending per capital is $25, more than half of those polled believed $26 to $100 per capita should be spent to support libraries. With more than 16,000 public library outlets, librarians have an extensive reach in most communities nationwide. More than 80 new public library buildings opened last year, representing an estimated nationwide investment of $414 million, according to ALA Executive Director William R. Gordon.

For more information on the surveys and National Library Week, go to http://www.ala.org/pio/nlw/nlw2002/intro.html.

-reprinted with permission