The new Main Library in Champaign is set to open on January 6, 2008. This momentous occasion reminds me of a debate that used to occur when the new facility was being planned. One particular argument against building the new library was that increasing use of the Internet leads to decreasing use of physical library facilities. This is completely false, and in fact, the opposite is true.

In 1990, per capita circulation at the Champaign Public Library was 13.9 materials per year, and by the year 2000, per capita circulation had increased to 15.8 materials annually. According to their 2006/2007 annual report, the library had an annual circulation of 1,786,773. When you take this against Champaign’s population of 75,254 (which was recently adjusted upward due to a special census,) the annual per capita circulation comes in at an astounding 23.7.

This blows away the current national average of approximately seven to nine materials per year, depending upon whom you ask and how you measure it. According to the American Library Association, circulation on a national level has also been increasing steadily since 1990.

What’s going on? Well, some people go to the library for their Internet access. Others use the Internet at home to search for books to check out. These two Internet-related activities actually contribute directly to increased use of libraries. And, information and services will continue to become more and more integral parts of our daily lives, our jobs, and our economy. This means that library use (including visits to the physical structure) will continue to increase.