By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

It doesn’t get much better than free.

At a time when people are looking to save money, libraries across York County are seeing a surge in the number of patrons using their services – from books to DVDs to free Internet access.

At Dyer Library in Saco, Executive Director Leslie Rounds said every month of 2009 has set records  for circulation numbers. She said the “fairly substantial” increase has averaged 10 to 20 percent per month. In May, patrons checked out 12,351 items, up from 10,896 items in May 2008.

Rounds said many people are rediscovering the library and now realize they’ll find a large selection of items to borrow.

“I think a lot of people regard books, audio books and DVDs as luxury items when they’re trying to make ends meet,” she said, noting all are free at the library. “It’s hard to beat a bargain like that.”

Karen McCarthy Eger, director of Springvale Public Library, said the library has seen a large increase in patrons, especially in recent weeks as rainy weather stretched on for weeks. She said the increases, which she believes are driven by the economy, started more than a year ago. While the library has regular patrons, she said many people are rediscovering the library or getting cards for the first time.

“We think that’s a wonderful thing,” she said.

McCarthy Eger said librarians have been busy helping with reference questions, providing guidance on public computers and organizing children’s programming. Librarians answered 6,000 reference questions in the past year, an increase of 14 percent. Circulation of young adult books increased 27 percent while the children’s winter reading program saw a 47 percent increase in attendance, she said. 

“People are definitely enjoying the free activities we’re offering,” she said, noting participation has grown in adult reading programs.

At Kennebunk Free Library, “more and more people are coming through the doors,” said Assistant Director Janet Cate. She said the patrons tend to be a mix of returning and new people looking for less expensive ways to entertain themselves. The reading room, which features magazines and newspapers, is busy regularly. The library’s new café opened in late June and patrons often bring laptops to connect to wireless Internet.

“I see people coming in here and just hanging out,” Cate said. 

In Kennebunkport, Louis T. Graves Memorial Library patrons are “realizing the value of the public library,” said Director Mary-Lou Boucouvalas. She said circulation is up 10 to 12 percent. 

Boucouvalas said computer use has risen, especially with patrons coming in to connect to free wireless Internet. Going to the library for that is also cheaper than sitting in a coffee shop that offers the connection, she said.

“They can sit here and not have to spend money on a coffee,” she said.

At Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham, Library Director Pam Turner has seen more and more people using public computers or the library’s wireless connection.

“It’s not uncommon to drive by and see people sitting in the driveway using our wireless,” she said.

Turner said her librarians are “extremely busy.” On Monday morning, 20 people were waiting in line for the doors to open. Turner said circulation increased 5 percent over last year and there has been a 28 percent increase in interlibrary loans. The library also recorded a 105 percent increase in youth program attendance and a 12 percent increase in new library cards, she said.

Jackie McDougal, director of Goodall Library in Sanford, said circulation increases an average of 6 to 8 percent per month. One month in the past year recorded a 21 percent increase in circulation, she said.

“We’re seeing a lot of new faces,” McDougal said. 

McDougal said public computer access has been a “huge” draw for patrons. 

“We’re seeing a lot of people using them for all the social networking things, but also resumes, job searching and apartment searching,” she said. “We’re just constantly busy with people coming in for various reasons.”

Like other area libraries, McArthur Library in Biddeford has recorded high circulation numbers as patrons borrow books, DVDs, audio books and use the facility’s public computers. 

“We have more and more people who are coming in to use our Internet connection because they can’t afford a connection at home,” said Assistant Director Sally Leahey. 

Leahey said the library offers a variety of programs for all ages and is focusing on providing information about free or inexpensive local activities. A large crowd attended a recent fiddling performance.

“People really appreciate having something to do that doesn’t cost anything,” she said.

While adults are visiting libraries in droves, so are children, according to librarians. Rounds said there has been an increase in circulation of children’s books as well as participating in programs at Dyer Library, a trend reflected at other libraries across the area.

Bernie Allie, a youth services librarian at Kennebunk Free Library, said more than 160 people have signed up for the children’s summer reading program. She said many other programs offered by the library filled up within two days. 

Allie said librarians have noticed more families visiting the library. They often stay for an hour perusing new titles and will leave with as many as 30 books per family. At Graves Library in Kennebunkport, more families attend story time than ever before, according to Boucouvalas.

At Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham, where youth program attendance has more than doubled, librarians are adding new activities.

“We’re responding to a need and adding more sessions of the programs,” Turner said.

Lauryn Caron, 15, of Dayton, said she visits Biddeford’s McArthur Library frequently to borrow books instead of spending money on new ones. 

“They have a lot of books here and I like the interlibrary loan,” she said.

Downstairs, Andrea Wollstadt pieced together a puzzle with her 2-year-old son Luke Duquette while his big sister Estella, 4, looked at picture books nearby. Wollstadt said her husband brings the kids to the library several times a week to attend story hour and check out new books. 

Wollstadt said new books are expensive and it doesn’t make sense to constantly buy her kids new books. She said the library is “perfect” because it allows her children to explore new books weekly while socializing with other children during activities.

“We’ve always used the library,” she said. “It’s awesome.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.