It’s well-known that usage of public libraries increases dramatically during hard economic times.  Why would this be? It’s because the library is the best bargain in town.  Free books (fiction, non-fiction, adult, teens and children), free internet access, free CDs, DVDs, movie tapes.  During current recession, the number of patrons coming through the doors of the Greene County Library has risen from an average of about 8000 per month to over 11,000.   The 26 public-access computers of the library are in constant use providing internet access to many who can no longer afford it at home. Patrons search online for job opportunities or compose resumes.   Many who in better times would buy copies of the books on the best seller lists now go to the public library to borrow them for free. 

Just when they’re needed most, Georgia libraries have been faced with severe cuts in state funding. The state allocates funds for “materials” to the county libraries in proportion to the size of the population they serve.  (“Materials” includes fiction and nonfiction books for adults, teens, and children, as well as audio books, CDs, DVDs and magazines.)  For this year, the state allocation for materials would have been $9,831  ($.57 for each of Greene County’s 17,248 residents). However, state tax revenue shortfalls have forced a cutback to $.26 per resident, or only $4484 for the year.

To put this number in perspective, let’s look only at hardcover fiction books, the most popular segment among the “materials” items.  During 2009, a total of 216 different titles were listed in the weekly New York Times best seller lists.  The average cost to buy a book and log it into the catalogs of the Greene County Library, the Uncle Remus Regional Library System and the statewide Pines system is about $36.  To purchase just one copy of each title that appeared on the Times best seller lists last year would cost $6,480, far exceeding the total state funds for all materials for the library for the whole year!  To serve our patrons with restricted funds, the library staff uses a list of the most popular authors whose books are most frequently.  Multiple copies of the books of really popular authors (e.g., John Grisham, Sue Grafton, James Patterson) are purchased.  Copies of other best-selling books may be available from other libraries through the Georgia PINES system.   Go to < uncleremus.org > for more info on this.

Our “Pages for All Ages” campaign conducted last year to solicit donations from the public and local businesses succeeded in raising a substantial amount to augment the state funds available for books and other materials. Our very active “Friends of the Library” group raises additional funds by selling used books donated by the public at very reasonable prices.  If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Library, our library staff can tell you how, and if you would like to make a contribution directly to the library please send it to Greene County Library, 610 S. Main St. Greensboro, GA 30642.

— From the Greene County Library Team.