CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Public library systems across the country are struggling with deep budget cuts: employee lay offs, closed branches, reduced hours.  In February, Tacoma, Washington's libraries were considering various options to improve safety.  This month in Phoenix, public libraries were said to attract thieves, drug addicts and perverts.

Curious about what sort of challenges Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's main location in Uptown is facing, we requested "calls for service" from the police department.  In 2009, there were nearly 300, ranging from trespassing to intoxication to assault to animal cruelty.  In 2010, the number dropped to about 160.  And with 26 days left in this year, there have been about 125.

"It's kind of remarkable," says Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO Vick Phillips.  He says the credit may lie with budget cuts.  Along with human resources, technology and maintenance, security at public libraries is now outsourced to the county.  Because of that, security training is more uniform and more professional, says Phillips.  "Our security experience has actually been better at the end of the recession than it was prior to the recession," he says.

Other cities have also reported problems with a growing number of homeless people seeking refuge in the public library, but that doesn't appear to be the problem here.  In fact, our public libraries are engaging the homeless community.  There's a homeless book club that meets every Tuesday morning.

"You have to have a place to be human," says east Charlotte resident Jennifer Northrup.  Until recently, she was homeless.  She used the main library for reading and research and now, returns to write poetry, study the Bible and even help others in need.  She describes the library as a peaceful, kind place, one that the vast majority of people respect.  "For the most part, I don't hear about crime around this particular library."

And that's what Phillips wants all library visitors to feel.  He says, "I hope so. And lots of them do."

About 1,300 people walk through the door every day at the main library branch in Uptown.  The library keeps track of security incidents internally. Their records also show a decline: 26 percent over the past two years.