Library Becomes Popular Kid During Economic Downturn

Noting that President Obama has said that a librarian helped him find his first job as a community organizer, New York Public Library President, Paul LeClerc, recently told The NY Times, “We’ve been in the job-search business for decades. This is a continuation.” The paper takes a look at the local libraries and how, as of late, more unemployed folks have been flocking to them en masse (and not just to breastfeed). Free resources, computer classes, Internet—it's all very appealing during the economic crisis. And while circulation is up, "libraries are facing steep cuts in the mayor’s proposed budget for next year, and have other economic woes." Hours are already being cut, but hopefully the Internet access will remain: One branch remarked that it's the most common service being sought, and not just by job seekers, but "more and more teenagers are showing up to sign on, saying their parents have canceled Internet service at home." This does not bode well for Facebook.