By LISA HLAVINKA

Staff Writer

It’s said the best things in life are free, and it appears Medina County’s libraries are no exception.

With a less-than-ideal economy, more and more people are turning to local libraries to provide entertainment and recreation. In August, the Medina County District Library saw a more than 85 percent increase in new library cards issued compared to August 2007.

“I think libraries in general are busier because of the economy,” said Judy Leuthaeuser, assistant director of the district library. “People can get books, DVDs and CDs for free.”

The increase is unique because libraries are traditionally slow during August, when families go on vacation and children are starting school, Leuthaeuser said.

“This would be a month we’d expect to see lower numbers, yet we’re seeing a wonderful interest in our libraries,” she said.

On average, 3,762 people went to county libraries every day in the month of August, a 30 percent increase compared to 2007.

Leuthaeuser also credits much of the newfound enthusiasm to the 2003 bond issue that gave the system an additional $42 million to build and renovate libraries. Since then, the library district has renovated or enlarged libraries in Medina, Brunswick and Seville, and built new buildings in Lodi and Granger Township (Highland) and York Township (Buckeye).

“We tried to provide a good service, but the libraries were so tiny,” Leuthaeuser said of the buildings prior to the bond’s passage.

The old Hinckley Library, for example, was less than 2,000 square feet.

Now called Highland Library, the new building is 12,325 square feet, and saw a 97 percent increase in foot traffic in August.

The new buildings are designed to be more than a place to hold books. The libraries have study rooms and community meeting rooms.

“In our small libraries, we didn’t have a place to tutor or have a nice, quiet place to read,” Leuthaeuser said.

The libraries also are more kid-friendly, she said. This year, 6,766 children participated in the district’s summer reading program, an increase of more than 1,000 over last year. Between 2006 and 2007, the program grew by 221 children.

“I see some large city libraries that say, ‘We had 2,000 children participate in our summer reading program,’ ” Leuthaeuser said.

Free Internet also has increased the number of patrons, she said. Before the replacement operating levy passed in 2007, the system had about 100 computers, but now there are more than 400. Many bring their laptops to take advantage of the wireless Internet provided by the library, Leuthaeuser said.

Circulation within the Medina County system rose 16 percent in August, in part because the operating levy afforded more materials to circulate, she said.

Books and magazines still are the most widely circulated materials, with DVDs and CDs next. More and more people are checking out books on CD, too, Leuthaeuser said.

“Our vision is to see after recreational pursuits as well,” she said.

Self-checkout machines also are being used: More than 34 percent of items checked out were done on self-checkout machines, she said.

Although there are still a few small projects left to finish, the five-year building project is nearly complete, she said.

“We’re just thrilled we have buildings that can actually do the things we want them to do,” Leuthaeuser said.

Hlavinka may be reached at 330-721-4048 or lhlavinka@ohio.net.