Miami-Dade proves libraries serve more when times get tough!

For the last few weeks ALA has been working with the national media about how the public relies on libraries more during challenging economic times. The article below and associated CBS4 news clip about Miami-Dade’s experience provides the proof! Be sure to check out the video clip! http://cbs4.com/local/library.westchester.books.2.784750.html

Charlie Parker -

Economic Slump, A Gain For South Florida Libraries
Poor economic times has led to an increase in attendance from the public who would rather borrow than buy
WESTCHESTER (CBS4) ―

Attendance is up at Miami-Dade's 44 public libraries, which has had five-million visitors so far this year. That's 200,000 more than the same time last year. Library officials would like to take all the credit, however, they're the first to admit the bad economy has a lot to do with it.

"Internet for instance. We offer free Internet service to people who can't afford it anymore, or could never afford it; they could come to us," according to Raymond Santiago, a library director.

Juan Navarrete is one of those people. He's a regular at the computer terminals, searching for everything from news to jobs."I'm a counselor, so recently I've been getting emails from faith-based organizations that are hiring," Navarrete said."

Maria Rafet and her son, Simon, visit the West-Dade regional library twice a month. He loves Japanese cartoons, DVDs, which he says he can't find anywhere else, and that they're free. "That's the best part," smiled Simon. "My parents don't have to pay for it." His mother is also saving on the Mediterranean diet book she's been looking for.

"If you buy it in the store, it's $30. But here, it's free and one can find many other books and pick the best of them," Maria added.

Attendance in the children's summer programs have also jumped thirty percent, which is another inexpensive way for parents to keep children busy without spending money.

While budget cuts have cut hours at Broward libraries, Miami-Dade opened a new library in June with two more scheduled to open in September in Westchester.