Link to December 6 Sarasota (FL) Herald-Tribune article, "The revival of the local library". (Thanks to John Thompson for the posting on Facebook.)
Excerpt: Throughout the region, libraries are seeing a resurgence in popularity despite facing obstacles — the Internet, deep funding cuts — that many feared would put them on the verge of extinction.
Libraries owe this newfound popularity in large part to three factors: the recession, which is forcing families to do more with less; modernization, including such things as online research help and automated book returns; and a push to make libraries into a community gathering place, including adding cafes or other amenities.
“Ten years ago, people were predicting the demise of the public library,” said Sarabeth Kalajian, general manager of Sarasota County's eight libraries. “The question of whether the public library is relevant has done a turn-around.”
In sense 1a, Merriam-Webster defines revival as renewed attention to or interest in something. Seems to me the only library revival taking place is in the temple of the mainstream media. In most measures of use -- circulation, visits, and program attendance, in particular -- libraries have demonstrated steady growth for years.
Link to State Library and Archives of Florida.
[Click on table to enlarge.]
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