Business is booming at the local libraries.  Well, it would be if it cost anything to checkout the books.
More than 160,000 items have been checked out from the six libraries in the Camden County Library District so far this year. That’s 16,000 items per month between 20,000 active library card holders.
Library Director Carolyn Chittenden said without adding in June, July or August’s numbers, the district is on track for an ‘incredible’ increase over last year’s numbers.
In 2007, more than 234,000 items were checked out in the district.
Chittenden sais the increase can be attribured to many reasons. First, is people’s spending.
“People are cutting back in little ways first,” Chittenden said. “When you think about it, you purchase a book, read it once and it sits on a shelf.”
Cutting back doesn’t mean people want to miss out on the entertainment value of the latest best-seller though.
Chittenden said a library card is free, waiting lists are usually kept short and shelves are stocked with more than just books.
Besides the newest Pulitzer Prize winner, patrons can pick up and check out magazines, CDs and DVDs and large-print books.
The libraries are connected to high-speed Internet and online programs allow users to review authors and books and make new selections based on their favorites.
Chittenden said she’s also noticed people are coming in fewer times, and checking out more books each time, possibly as a way to save money on fuel.
“Perhaps they’re making fewer trips into town, so they want to make the most out of it,” Chittenden said.
Checkouts have jumped at the smaller branches as well, signifying to Chittenden that more people are staying closer to home to use their library cards.
“It’s another way to save a little money on fuel,” she said.
What’s interesting is that while checkouts are up, Chittenden said next year she’s going to expect a lower budget.
The library district is supported by a county-wide tax levy.
Chittenden said the past few years she’s budgeted almost 95 percent return. Next year, her budget is going to reflect a little bit more than 90 percent return.
Not only that, Chittenden said grant money and other sources of funding are usually cut or reduced during difficult economic times. That also has the potential to greatly impact the district’s budget.
“There are certain things we rely on, University of Missouri for example helps us with Internet,” Chittenden said. “If they were to cut that funding or stop providing that grant, that is a big hole in the budget we would have to come up with.”
Chittenden said she wasn’t worried about the budget now, but it could be a problem in the future.
“If we keep seeing checkouts going up, we’re going to have to get materials from somewhere,” Chittenden said.
Contact this reporter at deannaw@lakesunleader.com