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Library has 17,000 more visitors than last year
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| Good selection: Sabrina Colson gets to the Benson Library early Monday morning, exchanging read books for plenty of new ones. (Thelma Grimes/Photo) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
With a struggling economy, many households have had to cut back over the last year, going from buying books to checking them out and connecting to the internet at Benson Library.
Library director Peggy Scott said they have become popular over the last year with 17,000 more visitors than the year before. For the 2008-09 year, the Benson Library has had more than 70,000 visitors.
In May alone, the library provided service to 5,672.
Scott talked about the library's success while a line of eager residents waited outside the door for the 10 a.m. opening.
"One reason for the increase in visitors is definitely the economy," Scott said. "People say they had to cut back at home, and they don't buy the books, they check them out."
Another major component for the library's draw is the free Wi-Fi service, which provides residents with free wireless Internet.
Scott said they started Wi-Fi last year, noting it has become quite popular.
"Some residents can't afford the Internet, or their computers have broken down and they can't afford to get them fixed right now," Scott said. "We are having more families coming in here, which is good. A lot of people are coming in with their laptops to use Wi-Fi, and we've had a lot of winter visitors come in that we hope will come back."
Murv Thorton of Dragoon was one of the residents waiting to get on the library computers Friday.
"I use these every day to check email," he said. "This library is like adult daycare. These guys are incredible. They are the most efficient staff I've come across. Everybody needs this place. Without it, we couldn't get anything done."
With a busy library, Scott said they still have four full-time and two part-time employees, but volunteers are making a huge difference, with 10 of them donating about 1,000 hours over the last year.
During budget discussions earlier this month, Vice Mayor Toney King said he has visited the library regularly and has been impressed with how busy they remain this year.
After some discussion, the vice mayor pushed for the library to receive more funds in the coming year to purchase books and supplies. Instead of $30,000, the council agreed to give the library $35,000 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Besides the Internet, Scott said the growing library continually works to meet the needs of all ages.
The summer reading program on Thursdays resumed last week with a magician on hand to entertain kids.
The book selection is also good, according to 10-year-old Sabrina Colson. With about five books in hand Monday morning, the young Benson resident said she reads fast, and is always looking for new materials.
Reading an estimated 30 books already this summer, Colson said she likes the Benson Library, and the fact that they always have plenty of books to choose from.
Scott said she hopes the popularity continues in the coming year.
"I hope that people who come into the library that haven't used it before say it's really good service," she said. "I hope they will continue to come in and not just check out the books, but the movies and audio books we have. There's a lot that we offer free of charge, and who doesn't want to save money? Yes, the economy is bad, but we want to continue providing these services."
The Benson Library is open daily at 10 a.m., and closed on Sundays.
With a struggling economy, many households have had to cut back over the last year, going from buying books to checking them out and connecting to the internet at Benson Library.
Library director Peggy Scott said they have become popular over the last year with 17,000 more visitors than the year before. For the 2008-09 year, the Benson Library has had more than 70,000 visitors.
In May alone, the library provided service to 5,672.
Scott talked about the library's success while a line of eager residents waited outside the door for the 10 a.m. opening.
"One reason for the increase in visitors is definitely the economy," Scott said. "People say they had to cut back at home, and they don't buy the books, they check them out."
Another major component for the library's draw is the free Wi-Fi service, which provides residents with free wireless Internet.
Scott said they started Wi-Fi last year, noting it has become quite popular.
"Some residents can't afford the Internet, or their computers have broken down and they can't afford to get them fixed right now," Scott said. "We are having more families coming in here, which is good. A lot of people are coming in with their laptops to use Wi-Fi, and we've had a lot of winter visitors come in that we hope will come back."
Murv Thorton of Dragoon was one of the residents waiting to get on the library computers Friday.
"I use these every day to check email," he said. "This library is like adult daycare. These guys are incredible. They are the most efficient staff I've come across. Everybody needs this place. Without it, we couldn't get anything done."
With a busy library, Scott said they still have four full-time and two part-time employees, but volunteers are making a huge difference, with 10 of them donating about 1,000 hours over the last year.
During budget discussions earlier this month, Vice Mayor Toney King said he has visited the library regularly and has been impressed with how busy they remain this year.
After some discussion, the vice mayor pushed for the library to receive more funds in the coming year to purchase books and supplies. Instead of $30,000, the council agreed to give the library $35,000 for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Besides the Internet, Scott said the growing library continually works to meet the needs of all ages.
The summer reading program on Thursdays resumed last week with a magician on hand to entertain kids.
The book selection is also good, according to 10-year-old Sabrina Colson. With about five books in hand Monday morning, the young Benson resident said she reads fast, and is always looking for new materials.
Reading an estimated 30 books already this summer, Colson said she likes the Benson Library, and the fact that they always have plenty of books to choose from.
Scott said she hopes the popularity continues in the coming year.
"I hope that people who come into the library that haven't used it before say it's really good service," she said. "I hope they will continue to come in and not just check out the books, but the movies and audio books we have. There's a lot that we offer free of charge, and who doesn't want to save money? Yes, the economy is bad, but we want to continue providing these services."
The Benson Library is open daily at 10 a.m., and closed on Sundays.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Diane Viewing wrote on Jun 26, 2009 9:23 PM:
" Congratulations to Vice Mayor Toney King, for his support for the Benson Library Budget. I have worked in libraries for well over 20 years and have never seen an increase without weeks of histrionics and bloodletting. Perhaps I just wasn't privy to the action! (Academic library, maybe that makes the difference). We are retired and depend on the library a great deal. Compliments to Peggy Scott and the other excellent library personnel, for a job well done.
Sincerely,
Diane Viewing "
Sincerely,
Diane Viewing "
Ann Cook wrote on Jun 24, 2009 10:17 AM: