We've Heard This Before: Library Use Up with Fewer Staff to Provide Service

Source:  WebJunction Connecticut

Link to December 4 article in the Hartford Courant, "Conn. libraries have more visitors, smaller staffs".

Excerpt: Connecticut officials say library use statewide is rising, even as library budgets and staffs continue to shrink.

The Connecticut State Library says data submitted by local libraries shows the number of items borrowed in the 2009-2010 budget year was up 4 percent.

Five percent more people also attended library programs than in the previous year.

At the same time, officials say the number of full-time equivalent positions in public libraries is at its lowest level since 2000 and their operating income has dropped.

Link to report.

[Yellow highlights added.]

Most use indicators are up -- visits, circulation, program attendance -- but I'm curious about downward trend in 'Use of Internet Workstations'.  And I surmise the drop in 'Total Registered Borrowers' is the result of a purge of long inactive records.