By extending library hours and ordering additional copies of in-demand DVDs and books, as well as enhancing home deliveries for seniors and the disabled, more items were checked out, rising from 21,635 in 2006 to 30,804 in 2007. County library officials attribute the growth to Lindsley's promotion to library director.

"I think (the circulation increase) has a lot to do with Bob Lindsley being more present in the library," Christi Sayre, interim executive director of PALS Plus (Passaic County Library System), said last week. "He has a ton of energy that is being focused right into the library."

The average circulation improvement for other Passaic County public libraries was 9 percent, county library officials said.

Lindsley's increase in hours came about because of a state requirement that a municipality with at least 7,500 residents must have a full-time library director or risk losing library aid.

Library board members voted to boost Lindsley's workload from 20 hours a week to 35, and increase his salary from $32,000 to $75,000 annually. The library, located on Brophy Lane, owns 45,000 books, CDs, DVDs and has an annual budget of $550,000. There are 10 employees, including Lindsley, at the library; four are full-time.

The library saw a 14 percent increase in borrowers from 4,241 in 2006 to 4,834 last year, Lindsley said, adding that he requested the library study after noticing an increase in print and electronic items being checked out. When he observed the 42 percent increase, he was stunned.

"I didn't realize it would be this dramatic," Lindsley said.

"It is really important to have the materials people are interested in," Lindsley said.

Families are beginning to look at the public library as a place for entertainment and social gathering during the current economic slowdown in New Jersey. Lindsley said it was a positive indication that the public was utilizing the broad spectrum of print and electronic materials available at the library.

"We are here to be a service organization," he said.

Libraries are more popular than ever, according to Rebecca Miller, executive editor of the Library Journal in New York City.

"I would say nationally, circulation has gone up as the trend towards offering more downloadable books and videos has grown," Miller said. "People are getting what they want, and what they need."

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, library visits nationwide totaled 1.4 billion in the 2006 fiscal year, up from 1.1 billion in 2000. Circulation also has increased from 1.7 billion in 2000 to 2.1 billion in 2006.

Lindsley said he has only been tracking borrowers for the past year, but since 2000, the library's circulation has gone up from 37,589 to the current 45,000.

One West Paterson woman said she is enjoying all the new services at the library.

"Everything is so accessible," said Delpha Hunter, 36. "They have done a great job."