COLUMBUS - Whether you are looking to read about the latest happenings in the news or want to thumb through your favorite magazine, the Columbus Public Library has a little something for everyone.
Throughout the day, people stop by the library, not necessarily to check out books, but to use the selections of magazines and newspapers on hand. Visitors are welcome to lounge in the “magazine area” and scan through the latest copies and issues.
“We have people who regularly stop by like once a week, once every two weeks, to learn what is new in the magazines, to see what magazines are new that are favorites of theirs,” said Library Director Robert Trautwein. “They sit there for 45 minutes to an hour. Then there are those who come in everyday to read newspapers.”
The library has about 210 different magazines and about a dozen different newspapers available to the public.
Trautwein said the library tries to offer selections that reach out to the diversified interests of people in the area. Magazines cover a wide variety of subjects from sports and health to fashion and news.
One offering, straight from the supermarket checkout aisle is the National Enquirer. Trautwein said the tabloid has been a big success as far as interest in readers. He said business people frequently stop by to read the latest issue of the Wall Street Journal and other business orientated material.
“We have several weekly publications in the reference area for stocks and mutual funds. But most of it is recreational reading. I would hope that we would have a magazine for all interests,” Trautwein said.
He said most of the regulars who stop in are middle-age or older people, but he also pointed out magazines available in the children's room.
Deciding what to make available is based on patron requests. Within the last few years they have added a variety of magazines, such as In Style, US, Modern Bride and Southern Living. They also added a Spanish magazine called Latina, which seems to be of interest, Trautwein said.
Among the publications that are used the most are the Kipplinger Report, People, Time and Newsweek. Another popular item is the local ARL credit report, which lists court judgments, address changes, bankruptcies and more.
Health magazines also have increased in popularity. Some magazines have seen a decrease in usage, including computer publications. Trautwein said that could be because people have their own subscriptions to those.
Most of the news magazines, such as Time and Newsweek, are kept indefinitely. Issues from years ago of such magazines, including Life, are kept because they serve as good research tools when looking up past social customs and advertising.
As far as newspapers, Trautwein said there is a big focus on area news. The library gets The Columbus Telegram and also papers from Grand Island, Lincoln, Norfolk and Omaha. They also get newspapers from smaller area towns and some national publications.
Anyone, whether they have a library card or not, is welcome to read through the newspapers and magazines.
Trautwein said they haven't had to keep as many back issues of some magazines because of the Internet. Back issues of the most popular magazines are available for check out.
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