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Hernando Today

Library Use Spikes In Face Of Bad Economy

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By KYLE MARTIN

Published: August 3, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The summer months are always busy for the county's libraries, but circulation numbers spiked well before school let out.

It's a trend cropping up all over the country as buying new books becomes a luxury in the face of tough economic times.

Compared with the first six months of last year, circulation numbers have jumped 9.2 percent in Hernando County.

"It's significant that we increased," said Barbara Shiflett, director of Hernando County libraries. "Historically, sometimes we don't."

Typically, entertainment is one of the last areas consumers cut from their budget in a poor economy. That held true in 2001's recession, when spending on music and movies remained relatively steady.

But with food and gas prices continuing to climb, some 37 percent of U.S. consumers plan to spend less on entertainment this year, according to a study published in April by The NPD Group, a market research company.

When talking about books specifically, the two giants in the trade, Barnes & Noble and Borders, have taken a hit by pennywise consumers. Borders reported a net loss of $157.4 million last year and the company announced in March, 2008, that it was for sale.

Industry leader Barnes & Noble has expressed an interest in purchasing Borders, but the bookseller has seen its own dip in profits over the past year.

Book sales have been stagnant the past two years, but that trend could be changing for the worse. Net sales reported a 3.5 percent drop in April, according to the Association of American Publishers.

Used Book Stores Still Thriving

People still want their books. If they don't pick them up for free at the library, there are always used-book stores to peruse.

Ruth Wharton, owner of the Bide a Wee bookstore, relies on core customers to see her through these tough times. And they are tough.

"People don't spend as much," she said. "I don't see (the regulars) as much as before."

But just because secondhand books are cheaper than the new hardbacks doesn't necessarily mean bibliophiles are flocking to her store. Business has stayed about the same, though spending habits started changing about two years ago, Wharton said. In Spring Hill, Peggy Davis has developed a similar group of patrons after 25 years of business at the Book Fair. Davis believes new customers are showing up because they don't want to spend the money on gas to drive to a chain bookstore.

"People are turning more to used books," she said.

Books-A-Million is under construction on U.S. 19 in the shopping plaza adjacent to JCPenny. Davis welcomes the competition.

"It's apples to oranges," she said. "They don't take trade ins, they don't have the pricing I do."

Alternative Services Feeding The Boom

It's not just books contributing to the library's circulation numbers. The library also offers free movies on DVD, which is a boon for people cutting movie tickets, rentals and even cable out of their budget.

The Hernando County library system is also part of a regional Web site that offers free book and movie downloads.

More people are logging on at the libraries, too. Internet users are up by 500 sessions a month compared to last year. It's an economical way to get information, said Faye Roberts, executive director of the Florida Library Association.

The Internet is such "a part of everyday life; people need it more and more," Roberts said.

The irony is that the same poor economy driving readers to the library is also drying up operation funds. Staffing is down the equivalent of 11 full-time employees after a hiring freeze, and Shiflett is considering ways to reduce hours.

"I'm glad to see the extra use," she said. "But I hope we can meet the demand."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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