Photo: Victoria PeckhamFewer people bought books, CD’s, and DVD’s in 2008 than in the year before. The number of moviegoers and concertgoers shrank last year, too, though rising ticket prices in both cases offset declining sales. Theater attendance, overall, is also down.
We usually hear about these declines in isolation. But taken together, they seem to suggest that cultural pursuits across the board are on the decline. Indeed, if nobody seems to be out buying books, movies, and music, what are they doing with their leisure time instead?
Apparently: going to the library. The Boston Globe reports that public libraries around the country are posting double-digit percentage increases in circulation and new library-card applications:
Checkouts of books, CD’s, and DVD’s are up 15 percent at the main library in Modesto, Calif. In Boulder, Colo., circulation of job-hunting materials is up 14 percent. Usage of the Newark Public Library in New Jersey is up 17 percent. Library-card requests have increased 27 percent in the last half of 2008 in San Francisco. The Boise Public Library reported a 61 percent increase in new library cards in 2008. In Brantley County, Ga., library computer usage was up 26 percent in the last quarter.
Dubner has wondered whether public libraries could be invented today if they didn’t already exist, and we’ve blogged about how museum attendance dwarfs major-league sports game attendance.
As consumer spending recedes in the face of the credit crisis, will libraries become more popular than shopping malls as a destination?
Maybe it’s time to ask your local librarian when she’s planning to install the food court.
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I’m frugal. I dont like clutter. I get a book and some videos, I watch the videos, read the books, take notes and return them. Of course my mother is a librarian, so it is only natural to me to use the library, but it just makes sense.
Our library has laptops you can check out, a little cafe, you can download audiobooks and reserve books, its GREAT. And its “free”!!!
But didn’t digital music sales continue to increase in 2008?
I use the library for all the reasons that matt (comment 3) gave.
I also used to be a book whore – would buy anything and everything. Now I take it out of the library. Have saved a fortune.
It’s also the fact that a three weeks overdue fine is still ridiculously less than the price of buying the book itself. You have to laugh a bit when the conversation at the library is something like,
” I’d like to take these books out” (total value $100)
“Oh, you have a $5 fine from these previous books”(another $100 value)
“Oh, sorry. Can I pay next time?”
“Sure.”
“Can I take these out anyway?”
“Sure.”
Also something to remember that (at least in Canada) the library is one of the first stops for new citizens – there are books in many languages, “settling in” information, support groups – you name it.
Funny, I was just at the library on Monday checking out DVD’s. As I was waiting in line, I looked across the room and thought, “how am I able to get DVD’s to rent for free?” I felt almost guilty for not paying for the enjoyment I am going to get from watching movies for free. Of course, they weren’t DVD’s that I would have paid to rent, but since they were there, I figured why not just check them out for a few days. Nevertheless, I thought to myself that if one day I am blessed with vast sums of money, it would be nice to make a contribution to my local library for the services I’ve used all too often. I guess my taxes already do that.
Those of us who work in libraries are thrilled with the increased attention and usage. Many folks who weren’t regular users probably missed the trend toward the expansion of popular media collections – including DVD’s and video games. We have downloadable content too, not to mention pre-loaded audiobooks. We’re also making libraries more like book stores – allowing snacks and covered drinks. Some even have small cafe’s.
So, welcome back to your public library! We’re so very glad to see you!
I wonder if Netflix is also up, based on people declining interest in actually owning physical copies of movies.
I just ordered a library card from Arlington County this weekend, and Matt’s comment makes me all the more excited. That said, I don’t think libraries would be invented today if they didn’t already exist. If they weren’t already established, the publishers would go on a lawsuit spree similar to the one the RIAA and MPAA have been on for a decade now…
or perhaps torrent networks are the libraries of the 21st century?
Libraries rock. I’m actually surprised at the % of the population that doesn’t use them. It’s huge. I think if more people were using the resource we’d all be better off.
However I don’t see one replacing the other. I’m both a book buyer and a Library patron; some you’ve just got to own. The Library is a way to scout and keep a flow going that most people can’t afford.