As the nation’s unemployment rate increased to 7.2 percent in December, the highest level in 16 years, something more unusual spiked when the economy slumped — library usage.Libraries across the country have seen an increase in usage since August, September and October. As the economy continues to fall, more Americans are turning to libraries, according to the American Library Association.”We feel there is a correlation between the economy being tight and library usage increasing,” said Mary Stein, assistant director at East Baton Rouge Parish Library. “We have seen this cycle before.”
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