What is the demand for library services?
The demand for services from the State Library has increased. The number of in-person, phone, and email reference requests; walk-in patrons; and use of the library’s web site and Internet resources have increased. Use by state workers of the new Infotrieve service has more than doubled since its first full month of operation. Use of the circulating Northwest collection has increased almost sevenfold from the beginning of 2002. The use of the microfilm collection has increased by more than 40 percent on average since the beginning of 2002. Despite the budget cuts last year, the State Library’s staff has responded to the challenge in a remarkable way. However, the proposed budget cuts are so severe that the ability of staff to provide these services will diminish drastically.
