More people borrowing books through the library

More people are using the library.

This is no surprise to staff at Vancouver Island Regional Library, who have noticed an increase in usage since last year’s downturn in the economy.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in our lending pattern in the last two years,” says Rosemary Bonanno, executive director at Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL), which has branches in 38 locations on Vancouver Island, the Queen Charlotte Islands, and Bella Coola on the Central Coast.

More than 4.7 million items were borrowed at VIRL last year, compared to 4.3 million the year before, and this supports what libraries across North America are reporting: that library use increased dramatically when the economy took a turn for the worse.

Bonanno says that many people turn to Vancouver Island Regional Library for help, not just to borrow books to read but also to use the Internet and other computer resources to search for employment opportunities, apply for jobs or employment insurance, or to do research.

“When you consider that the purchase of books, audio books, magazines, CDs and DVDs by just one individual or family in a year can cost thousands of dollars, using your public library can save you a lot of money,” Bonanno says.

VIRL customers have access to almost 1.2 million items (books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, DVDs). One in three residents of the region has a VIRL borrower’s card.

While books are still the mainstay, the library website (www.virl.bc.ca) provides access to a wealth of on-line resources such as animated talking picture books for kids, emerging business strategies, information on genealogy and health, encyclopaedias and do-it-yourself repair manuals, help with homework for students, and software (mango languages) to learn foreign languages.

The library also offers Storytime programs for young children.

VIRL’s Library To Go ‘virtual branch’ offers over 2,500 titles of downloadable e-books and audiobooks, including best sellers, travel books, technical manuals and popular romance novels. Library card holders have free access to these materials because VIRL pays for the licensing fees of the digital materials. In 2008, VIRL customers were the heaviest users of these on-line materials in BC.

While some predicted that the rise of the Internet would spell the demise of the library, Bonanno says that the age of split-second Google searches has actually increased the need for professionally trained, techno savvy librarians who can help search out accurate and reliable information for library users.

Library cards are free for the more than 417,973 people living in the region served by Vancouver Island Regional Library and can be obtained by visiting the nearest VIRL branch or by applying on-line at www.virl.bc.ca (click ‘borrowing’).

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