Economy sends frugal bookworms to libraries

As part of his economy movement, Corwin Kruse substantially cut his book buying budget. Peter Foster canceled his magazine subscriptions. Amy Sherer steers clear of the video store. Yet all three continue to enjoy the little luxuries of life.

Petrie, Foster and Sherer are among the growing legions of cost-conscious people who are putting their tax dollars to work by turning to the public library for books, magazines and movies. With the economy souring rapidly, libraries across the metro area are reporting a huge surge in business with circulation numbers rising to record numbers.

It's not just bookworms. Computer use is in such high demand, so much so that at the Roseville Library people cue up in the lobby before the doors open in the morning and rush to the terminals once they do. Attendance at family story times and programs is exploding, and often those registering for classes such as how to write a resume, are being placed on waiting lists.

"Generally when the economy takes a downturn, libraries nationwide experience an upturn in business," said Michael McConnell, coordinating librarian of Library Services in Hennepin County. "In 1975 and in the early 80s when the economy took a dive, the unemployment rate was high and we saw large numbers come in to look at companies and learn how to write a resume and cover letter. The phones were busy and people were lined up at the Service Desk. There was literally no place to sit. We are starting to see the same kind of things."

As part of his budget-tightening, Kruse, 44, of St. Paul, cut down the number of books he buys and has become a frequent patron at the Merriam Park Library.

"I used to buy 10 to 15 books a year, but I have not bought much of anything in the past 6 months or so," he said. "I check them out from the library."

Foster said he also has become a regular library user. He dropped his magazine and Netflix subscriptions as part of effort to become more thrifty. As a result, he said he's discovered new authors, read more non-fiction and expanded his musical selection.

Books have long been a library staple, but CD and DVD rentals are helping to drive up circulation numbers. They are the fastest growing sector of materials going out the door in Ramsey County where circulation this year is heading to a record of 4.5 million items, up 5 percent over last year, said Susan Nimetz, library director. Current releases and old flicks as well as books on tape and music CDs are in high demand in Anoka County, where the number of people signing up for library cards is up more than 6 percent over 2007. Ramsey County charges 50 cents for new releases while Hennepin and Anoka charge $1. Other videos and DVDs are loaned out for free.

"I pick up four to six DVDs at the library most every week," said Scherer, 45, of Hopkins. "I love catching up on movies I missed at the theater It's a lot cheaper than renting from Blockbuster."

Others have dropped their home Internet to pinch pennies, and are opting to use library computers to conduct job searches or check their e-mail at the library, said Marlene Moulton Janssen, director of the Anoka County Library system.

"People are letting go of their high speed access," she said. "With the change in the economy, if you have to pay versus us for free, it's a way of stretching discretionary dollars."

For families on tight budgets, library programs are helping stretch dollars farther, said stay-at-home dad Doug Petrie, 38, of Minneapolis.

. He takes his son, Joshua, 2 1/2, to the Southdale Library three times a week for story time, to read books and play in the toddler area. He also took advantage of the Museum Adventure Pass, a program that offers free or reduced admission to Twin Cities area attractions. Petrie used the pass to take his son to the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul's Bandana Square.

"Since we are a single earner family, money is tighter that it used to be when we [he and his wife] both worked," he said. "With the economy down, this is a good way to cut costs."

Library officials expect heavy usage to continue into the new year, but even they will have to deal with shrinking resources, McConnell said.

"We know that we are going to have struggles because of budget cuts and the increasing pressures we have to help the public," he said. "Like local government, we will have to take a hit."