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-- Americans visited libraries nearly 1.3 billion times and checked out more than 2 billion items in the past year, an increase of more than 10 percent in checked-out items and library visits, compared with data from the last economic downturn in 2001.

-- Hollidaysburg Area Public Library officials reported a 50 percent increase of use from four years ago.

-- Computer use at the Altoona Area Public Library in October was up 9 percent from the same time last year.

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HUNTINGDON - To cut down on expenses, April Daniels stopped her home subscriptions to cable TV and high-speed Internet.

She started packing her lunch to offset the price of parking while at work at the Family Clothesline in State College.

But tough times haven't stopped Daniels, a 26-year-old Alexandria resident, from cultivating her love of reading or watching movies.

Instead of hitting the nearest book or video store, she now visits the Huntingdon County Public Library, where she won't have to spend a dime - unless she turns in an item late.

''It will save money in the long run,'' Daniels said Monday as she registered for a membership card. ''I'm going to come here much more often because it's so much cheaper."

As the economy gets worse, business at local public libraries is getting better, as more people are reaching for their library cards instead of their credit cards. So much better, in fact, that it's tough for cardholders to get their hands on the latest bestseller or find a seat at a computer.

''It's fair to say usage is up everywhere,'' said Glenn Miller, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association. ''In tough times, people are going to rely on libraries more than ever for books they would normally buy."

Libraries historically have served as a barometer for economic downturn, and national studies by the American Library Association have confirmed the two are linked. What's different this time, however, is the size of the demand.

According to one ALA report, Americans visited their libraries nearly 1.3 billion times and checked out more than 2 billion items in the past year, an increase of more than 10 percent in checked-out items and library visits, compared to data from the last economic downturn in 2001.

Nancy Holland, executive director of the Huntingdon County Public Library, said circulation has risen steadily, and July was the busiest month she's seen in her five years at the branch.

''We have a lot of people that are walking in and saying they used to have a card a long time ago but they haven't been here in years and could they get a new one,'' Holland said.

At the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library, officials have reported a 50 percent increase of use from four years ago, said Janet Eldred, library director.

''People want cheap entertainment, and you can't beat the library because it's all free,'' Eldred said.

Library directors are also seeing a growing demand for computers and free Internet. At the Altoona Area Public Library, computer use in October was up 9 percent from the same time last year, Executive Director Debbie Weakland said. People often use the library's 12 computers to search for a job or put the finishing touches on their resumes, she added.

''A lot of people can't afford the Internet, and it's pretty hard to go through life without some sort of connection, so our terminals are pretty full,'' Weakland said. ''People are in dire straights right now, and if they need to find a job, this is the one place they'll go because it doesn't cost them a lot.''

While demand is up across the board, library officials lament that the recession - a time of budget slashing at the state and county levels - presents many challenges, including cutbacks to community services.

''The demand is up dramatically, yet funding for resources is just not going up,'' Miller said. ''We're trying to spread the word that libraries are more important now than ever.''

Officials in Huntingdon, for example, were forced to take the library's Bookmobile off the road in order to keep the county's three branches open. Limits on book buying has caused long waiting lists for copies of best-sellers and hot ticket titles.

''We're busy, but we have no money,'' Holland said. ''I'm being very careful of what I spend in the next few months. People think the public library will always be there, but I have a bad feeling.''

Library officials hope people will realize the value of their library and donate so facilities won't be forced to cut hours and programs.

''Our community tends to be a giving community,'' Eldred said. ''We've had to make cutbacks on purchases of new materials, and now we're waiting until someone donates money to get caught up. Christmas donations will certainly help.''

Mirror Staff Writer Cori Bolger is at 946-7458.