President's Column: Rediscovering the Library

When I visited my local public library in Wise, Virginia, on a recent Saturday, I was not surprised to see so many people taking advantage of the diverse services offered. Historically, when economic times are hard, library use goes up. Statistics show that usage has increased in libraries across the country, and this is no exception for libraries throughout the Commonwealth. Citizens are utilizing their libraries in increasing numbers not only for traditional library services, but also for new and innovative programs and resources designed to meet the needs of local communities.