Return of the books: Cofrin Library use is way up

The statistics are in from UW-Green Bay’s library, and usage is way up! Library Director Leanne Hansen shared a report Wednesday (Aug. 27) with the Friends of the Cofrin Library Board. The numbers are striking. Hansen says the 2007-08 gate count was up 6 percent, circulation traffic increased 16 percent from the previous year, and the various library web pages got 2.5 million hits. It’s hard to pinpoint the reason, but Hansen, her staff and Friends board members speculated on a few possibilities. Staffers say they have sensed renewed appreciation for tangible resources and a move back toward books in an increasingly virtual world. Additionally, as patron expertise with electronic search tools increases every year, a greater percentage of the physical collection is put into play.