Cape Breton libraries growing in popularity, despite digital age

Attendance is up at libraries across the country aspeople borrowmore books and takeadvantage of the specialty programs on offer.

And that increase can be seen throughoutCape Breton and Victoria counties, where about255,000 people visited libraries in 2014, an increase of 5,000 from the year prior.

Regional librarianFaye MacDougall says there's several reasons for the increased traffic.

"I think we have made efforts to try and raise awareness about our services and about the types of programs that are taking place in the library," MacDougall says.

"As well as over the years we have increased the number of programs that we offer so people are probably finding things that appeal to them."

Programs such as seniors book clubs, craft groups and public meetings brought in more than 20,000 people in2014.

"The library is really a social place, it's somewherewhere you can come, often you'll see people, meet people that they know and they'll have a little conversation," MacDougallsays.

"Some people come in to read because they like being somewhere where there are other people around."

Libraryusage continues to rise across Canada, according to ValoreeMcKay, the president of the Canadian Library Association.

"Certainly people crave other people, whether we recognize it or not. It's just a fact of human nature," she says. "But it's also providing screen access to people who might not be able to have it at home for whatever reason."

McKay sayslibraries across the country constantly adapt to make sure they stay relevant to their communities.That includes lending out e-books, using the library as a community space and teaching people how to better use computers.

"Libraries have always been a cornerstone of any community and they continue to remain a cornerstone of those communities and they're all striving to ensure that they're meeting that community need. That's never going to change."