By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

MADISON HEIGHTS — As Michigan’s economy limps along, libraries are growing legs.

For the Madison Heights Public Library, at 240 W. 13 Mile, and Hazel Park Memorial Library, at 123 E. Nine Mile, yearly numbers and librarian observations point toward a correlation between the harsh fiscal climate and mounting interest in career research and affordable fun.

“The economy is indeed having an impact on library usage,” said Roslyn Yerman, Madison’s library director. “The library continues to be a heavily used resource at a time when the significant ongoing economic challenges validate its need for entertainment resources in the form of books, magazines, DVDs and audio media to Internet access, and for more immediate pursuits such as financial and job-seeking resources.”

At the end of fiscal year 2008-2009 (July 2008 to June 2009), the Madison library was visited by 106,776 people, which mid-year projections show rising to roughly 109,200 in fiscal year 2009-2010.

Registrations, or library cards, are likewise set to increase, from 2,197 to an expected 2,200, as is total library circulation, from 109,536 to 114,900.

Among the most sizable increases: Unique Internet sessions, jumping from 31,008 to 37,700, as more and more people flock to the computers.

“Libraries have always been more heavily used during difficult economic times,” Yerman said. “That is that much more the case during these extended challenging times.”

At the Hazel Park library, 2009 saw a 27 percent jump in attendance, at 63,250 individual people, up from 49,520 the year prior. The increase in new registrations was slighter, at 1,294 in 2009 versus 1,281 in 2008.

A 4 percent rise was seen in computer usage, at 30,261 logins compared to 29,132 the year before. Book checkouts were at 59,508 in 2009, up from 54,291 in 2008. Checkouts for CDs and DVDs were at 19,016 in 2009, a sharp increase from 13,121 in 2009.

The greatest difference, according to Hazel Park librarians, was in reference questions. Requests for help in using library resources saw a 45 percent jump, from 5,575 in 2008 to 8,110 in 2009.

As for what those requests entail, finding employment is the common thread.

“We are getting a lot of people that need assistance with job searching, applying for jobs online and filing for unemployment and/or unemployment extensions,” said Corrine Stocker, Hazel Park’s adult services librarian. “It seems like most employers are now requiring applicants to apply online for jobs, even for non-professional positions.  It’s really hard on people who have very limited computer experience.

“Imagine losing your job and then being forced to file for unemployment online when you don’t even have a computer or know how to use one,” she continued. “It’s extremely overwhelming and frustrating for people; they need a lot of one-on-one assistance.”

Stocker noted that other requests for information pertained to foreclosure prevention and the foreclosure process. To this end, they’ve prepared resource packages that can detail the timeline involved and credible nonprofit organizations that can help people avoid the process altogether.

Trends were also noted in what people are researching: Jobs, bankruptcy, divorce, stress and anger management, all signs of the times.

And library goers aren’t the only ones feeling the economic pressure.

“It is also a challenging time for libraries, because we are serving more people, who have more needs, than ever before, with considerably less money every year,” Stocker said. “Most libraries are being forced to cut hours and services that people rely on more than ever.”