Link to February 11 Daily Herald article, "Local libraries hope 'snapshot' will prove need for funding".

Excerpt: As part of the Illinois Library Association's "Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Illinois Libraries," staff members at many libraries spent the day compiling statistics, customer comments, photographs and other data chronicling how they help patrons.

Libraries from municipalities throughout the area participated, including Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Vernon Hills, Roselle, Naperville and Elgin.

The point, organizers said, is to convince local and state lawmakers of the value of libraries as their budgets are being severely cut.

"There is increased library usage these days due to the economic situation in our country," said Bob Doyle, executive director of the Illinois Library Association. "People are not buying books and ... movies. They are also going to the library to look for a job and, for some people, just because it's warm."

Related articles:

February 18 is Snapshot Day at Connecticut Libraries. (2/10/2010)