With the nation facing tough economic times, people are visiting the Garden City Public Library more often and checking out items with greater frequency. In February, the Library logged more than 17,800 visits, or an average of 75 people per hour. More than 22,000 items were checked out, which averages 88 per hour, or 1.5 per minute, which is an increase of 4.8% over the same period last year. Last month, Garden City residents borrowed more than 2,100 DVDs to enjoy in their own homes. The Library offers over 150,000 materials in a variety of formats ranging from reference books and periodicals to large type books, language instruction audio materials, and music CDs, covering every subject area and interest.

With many people trying to spend less, Garden City residents can come to the Library for entertainment for the whole family. During this economic downturn, many people are borrowing books, DVDs, and audio materials instead of buying them. In addition, the Library offers book discussions and entertaining programs for children, teens, and adults at no cost. Through the generosity of The Friends of The Garden City Public Library, the Library also offers free passes to five museums - the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum, the New York Botanical Garden, and Old Westbury Gardens. The bottom line is that with a library card, patrons can access countless valuable, free materials and services to enrich their lives in this difficult economic climate.

As the country copes with the impact of the economic downturn, the public can find a wealth of free resources at the Library to meet the new challenges presented by the economic downturn. As more people are faced with possible employment changes, the Library has become the place to borrow materials to rewrite your resume or to utilize online databases or the computer center to help get ready for an interview. In this difficult economic time, Garden City residents are encouraged to use their library card to open the door to a world of free education, employment and entertainment resources and services.