Around the nation and in Douglas County, library use is booming. In the U.S., more than a billion people visit libraries each year to borrow books or videos, log on to the internet, or participate in various community programs. Compared to the rest of the country, however, daily visits to Douglas County Libraries are exploding. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the data shows:

· Between 2002 and 2006, visits to Douglas County Libraries increased 65%; nationwide, the increase was 10%.

· Circulation, the measure of how often library patrons check out materials, increased at Douglas County Libraries by 74% between 2002 and 2006; nationally that increase was 9%.

· Circulation of children's materials at Douglas County Libraries is the highest in Colorado at 3,122,000 and is 48% of its total circulation. That outstrips Vermont, the state which reports the highest share in the nation at 42%.

For more information about Douglas County Libraries and how you can get a card, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org or call 303-791-READ.