Libraries are my world. I’ve been a patron (老主顾) all my life, and for the past nine years I’ve worked at multiple libraries and archives in and around Detroit. The library as an institution has many roles, but as our country struggles through an economic crisis, I have watched the library where I work evolve into a career and business center, a community gathering place and a bastion (堡垒) of hope.

In the spring of 2007 1 got a library internship (实习生的位置) at the Southfield Public Library (SPL), just north of Detroit. Summers at SPL were usually slow, but that year, we experienced a library that was as busy as science-fair project week, midterms or tax season. Yet patrons weren’t looking for Mosby’s Nursing Drug Reference or tax return forms. They were coming for information on growing their small business.

I interpreted people’s interest in our business collection as the first step to pursuing their dreams, but these patrons were not motivated by dreams. They were responding to reality, and they were looking for Plan B.

Things worsened in 2008, and in 2009 the economic crisis continues to plague Michigan. Last year, we put up a display with a variety of job resources that we restocked every hour. Each night the library closed, the display was bare. While we normally keep displays up for a week, we kept the job resources display up for months.

Then there’s the tightening credit market. People see the writing on the wall and they want to get educated. They can’t afford a financial adviser, but checking books out is free. Some of the most popular titles now are Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Think and Grow Rich, and Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan.

The economic downturn affects us all. I have had to work long hours and don’t get to see much of my boyfriend or experience any kind of social life lately, but I am thankful to be in a position where I can help people overcome this struggle. In Michigan, we haven’t lost hope. As long as there are libraries here, there will always be hope.

56. What changes has the current economic crisis brought to the library?

A) It has become a job and business information center.

B) It has opened its age-old archives to the general public.

C) It has evolved into a place for business transactions.

D) It has had to cut its budget to get through the crisis.

57. What does the author say about the Southfield Public Library in the summer of 2007?

A) It launched a science project series.

B) It was overflowing with visitors.

C) It added many books on business to its collection.

D) It was full of people seeking information on drugs.

58. What can be inferred from people’s strong interest in the library’s business collection?

A) They think it is now time to realize their dreams.

B) They find economics helpful in tiding over the crisis.

C) They are concerned about the worsening economy.

D) They consider it a trend to start their own business.

59. Why were there no more job resources on display by the end of the day?

A) The library staff could not do the restocking quickly enough.

B) People were much interested in the job resources on display.

C) People competed with each other for the jobs listed in the ads.

D) All the materials on display were free of charge to the jobless.

60. How did the author feel about working in the library?

A) She felt rewarded to have gained a lot of experience.

B) She felt pleased to be able to give hope to the jobless.

C) She felt contented to be in a position to render help.

D) She felt sorry to miss the social life she used to enjoy.