The reign of the Kindle may not spell disaster for books after all.
Washington-area residents are returning to libraries in droves to check out paperbacks, hardcovers, audiobooks, e-books, DVDs and CDs as the slow economy encourages cheaper leisure.
Book rentals at D.C’s Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library have more than doubled since 2006 and the numbers are continuing to grow, according to branch Manager Norberta Winborne.
“We used to have just a few people working nights and weekends,” Winborne said. “Now, we need everybody around all the time.”
Nearly 2 million books, DVDs, CDs and other items have been checked out from D.C.’s public libraries in the last year — up from 1 million in 2006 — according to library spokesman George Williams.
“People are looking for ways to save money and they are finding that many of the books they would have bought in better economic times they are now checking out from the library,” Williams said.
The District’s public libraries are dealing with the deluge by expanding — planning to add seven branches within the next two years — even though resources are tight after 11 percent budget cuts were announced in September.
Public libraries in Montgomery and Arlington counties also are experiencing a major upswing in rentals and cardholders, alongside a tightening budget.
“There has been a surge,” said Lisa Nazidi, a librarian at Montgomery County’s Rockville branch. “People are constantly coming in to get a library card.”
At the same time, she said, “We are absolutely struggling with the budget.”
Although residents across the region now can download books, movies and music for free through their library’s Web site, many still choose to visit the library building.
“There are a lot more people, and there are a lot more lines,” Nazidi said. “When we first opened three years ago, we had no lines. Now [a line] can be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.”
In Arlington, library staffs are pushing budget worries aside and embracing the growth, said spokesman Peter Golkin.
“We are constantly examining new technology,” Golkin said. Patrons in Arlington soon may find technologies akin to Kindle and other electronic readers in their local branches, he said.
“We try to adjust with technology and what people want and what people need,” Golkin said.
