With a down economy and people feeling the pressure of trying to make ends meet, Independence Township Library has become a place of refuge.
‘We used to be able to say we’re slow on this evening and busy on this morning, when the economy changed, so did the traffic patterns,? said Julie Meredith, Library director. ‘We started getting a lot more people coming in during the day and a lot of people staying all day.?
Meredith said many of the people who would normally be at the office are spending their days at the library using the computer lab, or free wireless access to look for jobs, and update resumes.
‘In March we added a people counter to our front door, so we could really measure how busy we are,? she said. ‘We average 60 people per hour, so that’s one person coming in every minute and sometimes those numbers are a lot higher.?
Meredith said they did some space planning in Aug. 2008, which was perfect timing because it allowed them to increase their computer lab by moving it to a larger room as well as improving handicap accessibility and seating.
‘It was soon after (the space planning) and the economy started to fall, our usage really started to increase,? she said. ‘We’d seen some increase up to that point, but starting last fall was when things really started to take off and it’s continued right into 2009.?
Since last year, overall usage has gone up 11 percent, computers users up 12 percent, wireless usage up 54 percent and reference questions are up 46 percent.
‘That’s really interesting because a lot of people say that libraries are being overshadowed by the internet and that we’re not as relevant as we used to be, but our reference questions are up 46 percent,? Meredith said. ‘That means people are coming in and needing assistance either navigating the information they need on the website or that they really do need help finding what it is they need.?
She said she has also noticed the complexity of questions has changed, like ‘how do I save my home? How do I file for unemployment?
The library has an upcoming series on Job search strategies, resume workshop and an interview workshop. They also offer free computer classes on basic usage of computers including, internet searching, setting up e-mails, using databases, Microsoft Word, excel and PowerPoint.
‘We’re finding that people are now coming in looking for new skills, expanding old skills, and sharpening skills,? Meredith said. ‘We’ve put together a set of ‘Recession Resources? with a consortium of libraries that we’re in.?
The Recession Resource brochure offers a list of websites and toll free numbers of where to find answers for filing for unemployment, finding affordable health insurance, finding a job, how to keep your home, and how to repair and maintain your credit.
Meredith noted it’s on the library’s website as well.
Mike Romkema, says he uses the library two to three times a week to do research, and as a quiet place to study.
‘I work out of Lansing as my home base, so obviously the library offers me the ability to work from home by using the WIFI services,? he said. ‘I also use it for the books on tape and things like that to make that long drive go by quicker.?
Romkema said he and his family have lived in three different communities including: White Lake, Waterford, and Independence Township, and he has made good use of the library in all three communities.
‘I think libraries in general are typically the center of the community, it’s a source of learning,? he said. ‘I think it’s absolutely vital.?
Minnie Koplin who visits the library between and once and three times a week agreed.
‘I think it’s absolutely essential in the current economic times because this is a place where people can come and gather knowledge, without having to spend any money,? Koplin said. ‘It’s a service that’s available to people.?
High school student Sarah Angelini who is a big reader, said she comes to the library at least once a week, just to check out books.
‘I think it’s a great opportunity to come in and learn for free because going to the bookstore is expensive, especially when you’re going to read a book once,? she said. ‘It’s a lot better than sitting around watching TV and actually working your brain.?
Meredith did note, one of the current worries amongst librarians is the possible cut in state funding. Because libraries can’t have everything, they do a lot of interlibrary loans, which the state aid helps pay for the delivery service between libraries as well as help fund website www.Mel.org, that includes a variety of subscription databases, which Meredith said they couldn’t afford on their own.
‘Libraries are all about sharing and getting the most ‘bang for your buck,?? she said. ‘Maybe at the state level it doesn’t seem like lots of money in the big picture, but it really is very important on a local level.?
For more information on the library’s resources and programs call 248-625-2212 visit www.indelib.org. The library is located at 6495 Clarkston Road.
‘I think the public overall is always valued the library,? she said. ‘But I think they’re rediscovering when money is tight, just how valuable it really is and how much more they can get out of their library.?