The recession is a boon for Vermont libraries.
Librarians say Internet use and circulation of books and periodicals is up and more people are attending library programs.
State Librarian Martha Reid says that from July through December, library circulation in Vermont was up by an average of nearly 6 percent over the same period the year before.
Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library is planning to add two computers to the 12 already in use to help ease the demand for Internet time. New software limits library patrons to, two 30-minute sessions per day.
But Reid says that despite the demand, libraries across the state are cutting staff and hours to help cope with budget shortfalls.