Valley libraries flip a page in the digital age

MESA, AZ - Valley librarians are working hard to make sure their books don’t collect dust in the digital age.

In the era of instant downloads, when even big chain bookstores are closing, are public libraries still relevant?

The numbers illustrate an interesting story. 

Rita Marko with the Phoenix Public Library tells ABC15 that physical visitors to the libraries are down 9 percent since 2010, online users are quite strong at 24 million hits so far this year. That’s on par with numbers from 2010. 

Across the Valley, at the Scottsdale Public Library, Ann Porter tells us library usage is the highest in 10 years, and computer classes are very popular.

In fact, Porter reports attendance in computer classes the library hosts is 33 percent greater than in 2010 and attendance in those classes is up 21 percent.

Youth programs have grown by 20 percent and adult programs by 31 percent.

Digital offerings seem to be a favorite among library users.

In Scottsdale, digital book checkouts are 10 times higher this May than they were at this time last year.

In the first 13 days of May 2010, there were 634 ePub checkouts. In the first 13 days of this May, there were 6,472.

It seems electronic files may be the key to the library’s 21st century success.

Libraries in 10 Valley communities have joined financial forces to jointly purchase electronic books.

The publications are available for checkout online.

There are no late fees with the service, the file simply disappears from your computer.

With eBooks nearly outselling print books sold through online retailer Amazon, many are now showing up in the library as well.

We asked on the ABC15 Facebook page, "Do you still use the public library? What do you use it for?"

Vickie Nelson Allen: ebooks :)

Ronnie Castaneda: Real books, ebooks, out of town newspapers, music and music downloads.

Librarians are recognizing the digital trend and are responding in kind.

Officials at the Mesa Public Library have secured a grant to purchase e-readers. The electronic books like the Nook and the Kindle will be available for checkout by the end of the year.

While many readers are embracing downloadable material, it seems the traditional book is still a best seller.

Lily King-Cisneros at the Mesa Public Library reports traditional print material is still the most popular, although digital publications are gaining ground.

Print material made up 81.7 percent of the total 2010 circulation of 2,030,038. That’s about 1.7 million books.

Digital circulation only accounted for 59,292 items, excluding audio. DVD circulation.

As far as the Mesa Public Library is concerned, the institution is growing for the first time since the 1980s. Tuesday, the library opens its Mesa Express Library located in the Power Square Mall at Power and Baseline roads.

The “pocket library” will not host events, but is instead intended for users to find what they need and carry on with their day.

The lease agreement with the mall is for three years, after which another pocket library could open.

In the end, technology doesn’t seem to be killing the public library, instead, those close to the shelves say it’s opening a new chapter in the centuries-old institution.