When the Economy Gets Tough---the Tough Go To the Library!

    When the economy gets tough----the tough go to the library!

Statistics show that many of you, in this recession, are using a resource that is either free or that you paid for through your tax dollars.

But it could be your first line of defense in an economic downturn.

     Little Barbara Kirchgraber is barely out of her toddler years, but she's grown-up enough to get her first library card.  She and her mother Liza, checked out what's available at the Albany Public Library on the same day Barbara became one of its latest new members.

 " It's gonna be a long cold Winter, " said Liza Kirchgraber, "this is an activity we can do and it's free!"

   Barbara and Liza aren't alone in their thinking.  Usage at the Albany Public Library is up markedly this time of year, according to Tim Burke, Director of the facility.

He says in times of economic distress, people turn to their public library.

   "When the economy dips, library use goes up, " Burke explains, "In uncertain times people feel the need to be connected to information in a greater way."

  At Albany Public Library, they're reaching out to you, offering practical tools to fight an economic downturn with free workshops. 
   "In this particular economic crisis we're in right now, " says Burke, "One focus is to help people with employability, resume writing, interview skills, job searches."

   Not only can you get books, DVDs and CDs from AC/DC to Hannah Montana----the library is using technology to get culture and information into your hands faster and easier.

   If you like books-on-tape, you can get them downloaded to your computer or MP3 player without even leaving your home.

   "They don't even have to come to the library, they just use the card?" we asked.

"Exactly, " responded Burke, "They use the card through the library website and it gives them access to it.  They download it on their computer and can use it."

   In September, Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library saw a 30 percent jump in its audio-video usage and a 13 percent hike in book circulation.

   Alex Gutelius, Director of the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library says "The only thing we could relate it to was the downturn in the economy and people choosing where to spend their extra dollars."

   They also help people find jobs in a tough economy, assisting them in filing resumes online, which is increasingly required by employers.  At the library, it won't cost you to keep up with newspapers and magazines.  And when you can't afford to fix your broken printer at home?

  "One of the things we find is if their printer stopped working, they come and print their documents here, " says Gutelius.

   For parents, it's a way to keep up with the kids' interests without breaking the bank, says Gutelius and she knows first-hand.  "I know having 3 young children myself their interests change.  They can come to the library, rent a DVD, watch it 10 times and not have to make that investment in that DVD for life."

  Libraries say they're happy with the influx of consumers and hope they'll stay even when the economy gets better.