Economic uncertainty has proven to be great for business at local libraries. In Haverhill, Massachusetts “usage is through the roof,” reports the assistant library director. The Boston Globe finds similar trends in libraries throughout its region.
People don’t have as much disposable income, so the library provides an easier resource for books,” says North of Boston Library Exchange executive director Ronald Gagnon, noting other materials, such as DVDs and CDs, that libraries offer. “It just flies in the face of people who say, ‘Who needs libraries anymore?’ Book prices are $25, $30 for hard covers nowadays, and people just can’t afford it. So it’s not that the library ever went anywhere, but people are rediscovering the services provided.”
Not everyone is weathering hard times by curling up with a good book, however. A recent NPR piece notes video games continue to increase in popularity since they offer more bang for the entertainment buck. “Though video games initially earned a bad rap for being something of a loner activity, gaming has become an increasingly sociable event,” notes NPR.
