One of Michele Drovdahl’s favorite parts of being a librarian is, as she puts it, “forcing a good book on people.”
With the state of today’s economy, Drovdahl’s had plenty of opportunity to do that.
As unemployment numbers across King County and the rest of the country continue to rise, so is the number of people who are visiting libraries. According to a recent study conducted by Washington State Public Libraries, library attendance across the state in the latter half of 2008 was up 7.5 percent from what it was a year ago.
That may have librarians like Drovdahl hustling from one place to another, but she says she doesn’t mind.
“More books are being checked out, more people are coming in to use our computers,” the senior managing librarian for North Bend, Snoqualmie and Fall City said. “We may have to give a little more time and attention, but it just gives us a busy day. I don’t feel like we’re short-handed. It makes us feel important.”
The Washington State Public Libraries survey also found increases in circulation of 11.2 percent, virtual visits of 20.2 percent and number of library internet users of 13.4 percent.
Drovdahl said the highest increase in the Valley may be in Internet users. The unemployed, who either do not have access to Internet or a printer, find the library a good place to search for a job.
Understanding this, the King County Library System offered the Look To Your Library program throughout May. The program offered locals a bevy of job and financial advice, from how to search for a job and manage accumulating bills to tips on starting or sustaining a small business in a tough economic climate. Go to http://www.kcls.org/looktoyourlibrary/ to learn more.
Drovdahl said the Look To Your Library program seemed to be a success around King County.
“There wasn’t as much participation as we wanted, but we still had a lot of people coming in and looking,” she said. “Out here in North Bend and Snoqualmie, it wasn’t as much as some of the libraries in Redmond, Bellevue, Kent and other cities on the Eastside. But we still have a steady flow of people asking about job information.”
Drovdahl said one of the best things about increased library patrons is the fact that so many of them are just now realizing the many items and programs available to them.
A common trend this summer is that adults, who are bringing their children to the library for a summer reading program, will notice a program that appeals to themselves.
“People know more about the library. We’ve had people come in and say, ‘I didn’t know that was here,’” Drovdahl said. “We just love to have people come in and check everything out. And we want them to ask questions. We’re here to help.”
Reach editor Ryan Piersol at [email protected] or 392-6434.
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