The general public is often unaware of just how many people rely on access to public computers at their local public library. The Office for Research and Statistics at the American Library Association has recently reported on the amount of use that library computers are getting each and every day while at the same time, funding and staffing to support library online services is diminishing. It is a trying situation as we all adjust to the new realities of the "Great Recession."
The Beaufort County Library system is not immune to these difficulties. I can only speak from personal experience in the Beaufort Branch Library building. Beaufort Branch seems to have a steady stream of customers using online resources beginning when the doors open at 9am, increasing throughout the day often peaking mid-afternoon causing a waiting line of customers, and then gradually diminishing until closing time. I am told that the other branch libraries are experiencing similar heavy use of our online resources.
For the hearty who read librarianese, this link gives you the full 101-page report in PDF format.
If you prefer a "Report (Lite)," click here for the executive summary in PDF format.
Click here to see the most recent statistics about SC public libraries.
This entry was inspired by American Libraries Direct, a weekly e-newsletter of the ALA, dated 6/23/2010.
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