"As the nation continues to experience a sharp and jarring economic downturn, local libraries are providing valuable free tools and resources to help Americans of all ages through this time of uncertainty," wrote the American Library Association President Jim Rettig on December 11, 2008, in The Huffington Post. Over the years, the American Library Association has commissioned studies that show a clear connection between economic decline and increases in library usage.

Last week, the online Wall Street Journal  posted an article that stated, "Libraries across the country are reporting jumps in attendance of as much as 65% or the past year, as newly unemployed people flock to branches to fill our resumes and scan ads for job listings."

At the Monterey Public Library we have seen a 29% icrease in visits to the Library between December 2007 and December 2008, and a 24% icrease in the number of check-outs. Certainly some of this increased usage has to do with job searches and Internet access, but people are also turning to the Library to help  cope with other impacts of the economic downturn. For example, more people want to learn how to do their own home repairs, how to feed their families more economically, and how to make homemade gifts. People are also turning to the Library to do product research before making purchases. The Library helps families and individuals meet their entertainment needs by lending a wide variety of reading material, recorded books and music, and movies on DVD and VHS.

Whatever your needs and interests, the Library can help you find resources to help you and your family get through these difficult economic times.