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Library lost count of cards As we put out the "Vote Yes for Libraries" sign on our lawn, and lamenting that the sign was very lonely in our upscale eastside neighborhood, we were wondering how many of the teeming masses of Medford and Jackson County possess library cards? And, how many of those that have cards use them? Perhaps these are questions to add to the 2010 Census. -- Jim V., Medford Good thing you're thinking ahead, Jim, because actually, we can't answer your question. The library doesn't know. Officials hope they'll get a better handle on the answer in the next few years. The problem is that cards used to be handed out like candy at Halloween. If you lost your card, you just went back and got a new one and your name and old number also stayed in the system. Right now, the library system shows more card holders than actually live in the county. Last fall the county updated its computer system. Now, librarians don't just hand out the cards willy-nilly. If you get a new card, your old registration number is erased. After a few years, the library will purge the numbers of everyone who hasn't used the library in several years. Then, and only then, will a good estimate of the number of card holders exist. If it's any consolation to you staring out at that lonely sign, though, studies have shown this is a county that uses its library. The library conducted user surveys in 1995 and 1999. In 1995, 66 percent of Jackson County residents said they had visited at least once that year. In 1999, a little over 58 percent had used the library at least once during the year. "So I estimate around 60 percent of the population uses the branch once a year," said Library Director Ronnie Budge. "And many people use it much more than that. The largest number use it once a month." "Since You Asked'' is a daily feature in the Mail Tribune that answers questions from readers on virtually any topic of general interest. To submit a question, e-mail us at [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification. If you have specific questions about our Web site or other questions about the Mail Tribune, please send them to [email protected] ) Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA