Renewed Interest in Physical Media Benefits North Dakota Libraries

(Adobe Stock via Prairie News Service)

(By Mike Moen. Prairie News Service) – The popularity of collecting vinyl records hints that the public isn’t completely content with owning things digitally. Library leaders in North Dakota say that renewed passion is leading more people to look into their physical media offerings.

Andrea Placher is director of leads the Williston Community Library. She and her fellow directors around the state report elevated activity in people requesting library cards. In Williston, staff are currently issuing between 100 and 150 new cards each month.

Placher said some users feel that options such as e-books aren’t for them, and word of mouth is fueling interest in physical copies.

“There is a huge craze out there right now,” she said. “And people are getting out there more and they’re saying, like, ‘Oh, there’s all these great authors,’ and talking to each other about, ‘Oh my gosh, did you read this great book?'”