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Regional library use highest in 42 years2001 was a good year for the East Central Regional Library (ECRL), according to director Bob Boese. Users checked out a record number of books - 460, 913 - the highest in the 42-year history of the six-county library system. Ten of the 14 agencies saw increases in circulation, he recently noted in the 2001 annual report. Computer use saw a modest increase, but the number of machines nearly doubled at the end of the year as the Gates Foundation computers were installed in most of the branches. With an additional Gates Laboratory grant, more computers were installed in early 2002 at the headquarters building in Cambridge, he noted. Boese pointed out that with use up and the number of computers and other new services increasing, many of the branch libraries are beginning to experience severe space problems. Boese expects the major challenge in the next 10 years will be to find adequate space for printed materials, AV materials and computer access. Counties participating in the ECRL joint powers are Chisago, Isanti, Aitkin, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine. ©ECM Post Review |