Matter of Opinion

Wed., Feb. 4, 2009

Book ‘im, Danno

The Secretary of State's Office in Olympia reports that public libraries in Washington are seeing increased usage during the economic downturn. Patron visits are up 7.5 percent. Material checkouts are up 11.22 percent. Online visits are up 20.21 percent. Reference transactions are up 4.41 percent. Public Internet computers are in use 9.74 percent more of the time. There are 13.77 more public Internet computer users.

Does this hearten you? How much to you rely on our public libraries? Why or why not?

Posted Feb. 4, 2009, 4:56 p.m.

A Matter of Opinion is really a matter of three opinions – those held by the people responsible for the opinion pages of The Spokesman-Review. Check in regularly to find out what they’re up to, what they think and where they differ and to joust with them if you want.