The downward spiral of the economy is creating at least one upward trend: a dramatic increase in the use of public libraries.

Library directors here and all over say they are seeing large increases in the number of people using library computers for creating resumes, searching for jobs and applying for unemployment benefits.

In addition, suburban librarians said families are flocking to libraries as a source of free entertainment. The circulation of DVDs and fiction titles is up, and waits for best sellers are longer. Magazine circulation is also on the rise as people cut subscription costs out of their household budgets.

Patrons also are taking advantage of free Internet service at libraries, rather than paying for it at home, and they are participating in the free programming offered. And even those with their own laptops are heading to the library where they can use the free Wi-Fi service.

"The increase in library usage is really dramatic and it's not just here, it's a national trend," said Sharon McRae, director of the Shaler North Hills Library.

Though the increases have come steadily over the past year, the most significant change was seen in the last quarter of 2008, coinciding with announcements of layoffs from a number of corporations.

Jo Ellen Kenney, director of the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, said she started to notice in the fall that the library's 25 computers "were all filled almost all day," mostly with people creating resumes and performing job searches.

Demand has been so high in McKeesport, where people sometimes are lined up at the doors when the library opens at 8 a.m., that patrons at times are permitted to use staff computers.

At the Moon Township Public Library, the demand for use of the computers is even higher now than when US Airways laid off a number of local residents in recent years, said Maria Joseph, director of the Moon Township Public Library.

"I've been at the library for 13 years, and I've never seen the number of people who are coming in now and asking for online help," Ms. Joseph said, estimating that the number of daily patrons has increased from 350 to 450 in recent months.

"Our staff is helping many more people with job site searches, updating resumes and doing online searches. We are just trying to keep up with the amazing increase."

The increase in demand for services is coming at a time when library funding is flat. Some libraries have had to reduce hours and Allegheny County library directors are bracing for a decrease in funding next year. A portion of their funds come from the Regional Asset District tax -- the 1 percent sale tax levy -- which officials assume will be down next year since retail sales everywhere have plummeted.

In the meantime, library directors said, they are working with their available resources to provide whatever services the public needs.

In the past, when laid off workers came to the library looking for help putting together resumes or researching jobs, librarians handed them books on resume writing and newspaper classified ads.

But today's job search process is far more complicated, requiring applicants to have an e-mail address, an online version of their resume and the ability to upload their information to online job site listings.

Job seekers are finding that many employers are requiring job applicants to apply online and, for folks who aren't used to navigating the Internet, it can be a daunting process. That means that even people who have computers at home come to the library to conduct their searches in hopes that the librarians will be able to offer assistance.

"There is somebody who can explain this mysterious world for them," said Christy Fusco, Monroeville Public Library director.

Library staffers said they can see that the process overwhelms people. "It can be a barrier for a lot of people. We just try to help them in anyway we can," said Mark Hudson, head of adult services at Monroeville Public Library. There, the 27 public access computers are in constant use and sometimes four to six people are waiting to use one.

At the Shaler library, staff members will type resumes for patrons who aren't familiar with the word processing programs on computers in exchange for a $5 donation to the Friends of the Library group.

Librarians have put in so much time helping people with resumes and job searches that they are familiar with the sites used for the process. They also are able to help patrons avoid some pitfalls. Several librarians said they've had patrons use an online resume-building site that claimed to be free, but after the patrons spent hours composing a resume, they received a message saying they had to pay $19.95 to print the document.

In McKeesport, Ms. Kenney has seen an increase in the number of people who are coming to the library with documents on a flash drive that they need to print. They tell her their printer ran out of ink at home and they couldn't afford a new ink cartridge. So they come to the library, where it's cheaper to print their information at 15 cents per page.

Ms. Joseph has heard similar comments at the Moon library. "We have patrons who say, 'My printer died and I can't afford to replace it,' " she said.

At the Moon library, Ms. Joseph plans to set up programs in the spring on resume writing and how to identify the best job-listing sites. She also plans to order more books on job interviews. "We are doing what we can to help people," she said.

The increased business at libraries is not all about business.

Families are coming for free sources of entertainment, whether it's books to read, movies or programs to attend.

Librarians say their circulation of DVDs and fiction titles is way up, and some also are noticing a spike in the circulation of magazines or in people interested in learning how to download online versions of magazines.

"More people are checking out books rather than buying them. Waiting lists have increased," said Cynthia Richey, director of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library.

In addition, "story times are filled to capacity," she said.

In Shaler, circulation of items was up 11 percent in 2008 over 2007, and librarians throughout the area report that participation in programs is up.

"We had families who used to come for preschool story time and then sort of drifted away and now are back because they can't afford to buy books or take their kids to the movies," Ms. McRae said.

The Shaler library staff has started Friday night programming for families, where they may show a movie or do a craft and allow families to check out materials after the library's regular operating hours.

"We've had parents say they are glad for this because they just don't have the money to take their kids to the movies or other activities right now. This is something they can do for free," Ms. McRae said.

At the Peters Township Public Library, the new addition that includes a teen reading room and family activity center is heavily used.

"Before, maybe they would go to the movies or something. Now they come to movie night here," said library Director Pier Lee.

In the spring, in an effort to assist librarians in helping patrons during the tough economy, the Allegheny County Library Association will partner with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services to provide training on how to link needy patrons with social services that may provide assistance.

"It's a change in how we do our jobs," Ms. McRae said. "There's a kind of counseling thing going on here, and that's different for librarians. But we are here to help in any way that we can."