Breaking the silence More than books to check out at library

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The program coordinator at Willard Library said new offerings such as a visit from a yo-yo master, a Bubble Man magician and, coming Sunday, an alternative folk-rock group from Detroit called The High Strung, have brought library attendance and use to an all-time high."It's because we are the happening place," Ott said. "Because the library is for all ages, all interests, all people."About 4,000 people used this summer's programs, Ott said. There were 1.2 million items checked out during fiscal 2008, which ended in June. That's more than double the average 10 years ago, she said,and it's been climbing steadily since libraries started offering more than books."We have been awestruck at how people have been using the library," Ott said.There's evidence, said Liz Voorheis, head of the library's children and teen services, that bringing acts such as The High Strung really does lead library newcomers to check out books."You can equate it to going into a store and, when they're giving samples, you spend more," she said.Willard has developed a knack for netting the big catch: families with small kids are basically jumping out of the water. But now, Voorheis said, they want a different kind of fish."We're hoping to draw from a different crowd than we normally get," she said. "Ultimately, (teens) are our future borrowers and taxpayers. We need to appeal to them, to show them this is a fun place. It's not just about the books."Enter The High Strung.
The Detroit-based group plays a brand of folk-rock similar to Bob Dylan after he went electric, with a hint of modern noise a lá The Flaming Lips. It's a soothing but up-tempo sound always with a positive message that has the band booked at libraries across the country.
The group could not be reached for comment.
"They're pretty high-energy," explained Anne Holcomb, the library's media librarian. "I can see little kids dancing around to it."
Voorheis said the group isn't necessarily a band with a message, "but they fall into a family-friendly act."
And The High Strung is the kind of group Willard officials hope will pull in that new flavor of clientele.
"We saw them online and it was, 'OK, let's trying something new. Let's bring in some new people,'" Voorheis said.
That's a goal, Ott said, because, "libraries are neutral ground and everyone is welcome."

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