Library lends a hand in troubled times

While the economy has gone down, people's use of public libraries has gone up, according to Burke County Public Library director Jim Wilson. Patrons of the libraries in Morganton, Valdese and Hildebran borrowed 253,000 books, audiobooks, videos, CDs and other items in FY 2009-10 -- "The best year we've had in a really long time," Wilson said. People also made heavy use of computers with free Internet access -- so much so that the library hopes to add wireless access before Christmas.

In September the Burke County Public Library issued library cards to 700 new patrons. It now has 50,000 registered users, which is well over half of the county's population. Three months into the new fiscal year, the library's circulation is on pace to match 2009-10's numbers. "We've been on an upward trend for the past several years," Wilson said. "When things went south (in the economy), computer use went up, circulation of materials went up, programs' attendance went up. People were looking for things that don't cost a lot to do. "I'm sorry that the economy is the way it is, but I'm glad we were here to help. We're just so happy to do whatever we can to meet their needs." Budget cuts this year forced the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library to cut hours, lay off employees and close branches. (Morganton, NC)