Library boom times, fewer newspaper buyers

Interesting story on NPR’s All Things Considered this evening: “Libraries Shine In Tough Economic Times.” It’s about how in these economic tough times — with families and individuals struggling with high energy prices and resulting high everything-else prices — people are cutting back on non-essentials like buying books and subscribing to newspapers and magazines. They’re going to the library instead to read the paper and check out books, instead of buying.

Yes, it’s the perfect storm for the newspaper industry. They’d be hurting from the structural change going on in media consumption even with a good economy. Add the sucky economy and this likely puts some newspapers at the brink.

My wife, by the way, is back in school to become a (school) librarian. At least I know she’s going into a field that’s in demand!