The Ames Public Library hopes to circulate more than one million items for the first time by the end of the fiscal year.

The library has had an 18 percent increase in business. The boost can be partially credited to the poor economy, said Gina Millsap, director of the Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave.

“In times of economic downturn, [people] turn to public libraries,” Millsap said. “They can’t afford to buy books, they look to increase job skills and there’s free access to many types of media.”

Lynne Carey, head of outreach and circulation services for the library, said the increase in checkouts can be attributed to families wanting to spend more time together.

“People are spending more time close to home . and look for free entertainment,” Carey said.

Patrons have checked out nearly 700,000 books and other media from the Ames Public Library this year, according to February monthly circulation reports.

Although people can check out videos, compact discs, DVDs and audio books, Millsap said more than 70 percent of the circulation is books. The number of checked out items also includes electronic reserve use and hits to the library’s Web site.

Librarians are hoping to hit the 1 million mark before the end of the year, and are watching the numbers carefully. She anticipates the big day to come this June. Carey said librarians will monitor checkouts every half-hour as the library nears the 1 million mark.

Millsap said readership numbers in Ames and Iowa rank well above the national average, which gives some explanation for a well-used public library.

The library was also named one of the 10 best libraries in the country serving a population between 50,000 and 100,000 by American Library magazine in 2000.

“We value the public library, and value the benefits of access to great media,” Millsap said.

Carey said she believes new programs to make using the library easier for patrons have increased circulation.

Some of these changes include the “express checks,” which allows patrons to check out their own books.

Another factor in circulation increase is the option to place a hold on materials.

“People can surf through the library [on the Internet] and put holds on materials at 2 a.m. and then pick them up at the library later,” Carey said.

She said although the programs are new and haven’t been evaluated since October, when the plans were implemented, circulation “really spurted.”

Millsap also credits a “cradle to grave” philosophy.

“We address all people’s needs from little ones upward,” she said.