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Library Helping in Hard Economic Times
Pierce County Library System helping people in tough economic times
During this tough economic time, people are turning to Pierce County Library System for assistance. The Library has been offering the free services people are asking for; however, now with the downturn in the economy even more people are asking and the Library is responding with more offerings to meet those needs. New! More resources and tools for tough economic times. Read more >>
Pierce County residents are:
- Borrowing, not buying books.
- Canceling their movie accounts, such as Blockbuster and Netflix, and checking out free DVDs from the Library.
- Canceling their high speed Internet at home and using the Library’s free public computers with high speed Internet.
- Asking for help and more time on the Library’s public computers to look for jobs, complete job applications and write resumes.
- Turning to Pierce County Library for free entertainment by checking out movies, books and music and participating in free programs, such as movie nights and game days at the libraries.
What the statistics show
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Pierce County Library System has seen a dramatic increase in use, due to the economic downturn, as well as offering additional services from a re-authorized levy voters passed in 2006. Examples of increased usage:
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State Library compares 2008 and 2007 Library use
Washington State Library gathered data from libraries throughout the state for a six month period to compare June – November 2007 with June – November 2008. The six-month period captures the high gas prices in summer 2008 and fall of the stock market in fall 2008. Washington State Public Libraries’ average percentage of change during the six month period (comparing 2007 to 2008):
- Library visits: 8 percent increase
- Web site visits: 20 percent increase
- Items checked out: 11 percent increase
Pierce County Library increases higher than state average
Compared with the statewide averages, Pierce County Library’s use during this six month period is higher in each category. During that same time period in 2008 people were heavily using the services at Pierce County Library (June-November 2007 and June-November 2008):
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Library visits:
Increase: 20 percent Web site visits:
Increase: 77 percent Items checked out:
Increase: 32 percent |
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Visits to Pierce County Library compared to other area events
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In a 2008 comparison to attendance at major events in Puget Sound, Pierce County Library was highly used.
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How Pierce County Library is Helping
The Library is buying more materials that will help people now:
- Books and materials to help people with job searches, job retraining, and starting small businesses—such as daycare centers and landscaping companies.
- Books about personal investment, how to prevent foreclosures and more.
- Do-it-yourself books such as home plumbing and household repairs, as well as home remodeling.
- More gardening books to keep up with the high demand—people are putting in the highest number of gardens since the 1970s. This may be due to a desire to eat healthier and locally, as well as save money.
- More family movies for home entertainment.
The Library is offering more services:
- Information about local social agencies, both government and nonprofit, such as help from nearby churches.
- Programs on topics such as shopping frugally, resume writing, understanding your credit and determining which mortgage is right for you.
- Programs for people 55+: Livin’ on a Shoestring and Staying Connected, Living Fuller @ 55+: Living on a Shoestring.
- Free computer classes to help you search for and find jobs and write resumes.
- Used book sales with bargain prices on books, CDs, DVDs and more.
- Family programs such as movie nights and game days.