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Just saw this press release from ALA Washington Office. Certainly appropriate for discussions at our town hall sessions:

ALA Seeks $100 Million in Stimulus Funding As U.S. Libraries Face Critical Cutbacks, Closures
October 29, 2008
Washington - The American Library Association (ALA) is asking Congress for $100 million in stimulus funding to aid the nation’s working families during the current economic crisis. Aid is sought to stem the bleeding of critical library services that help Americans with job searches, small business development, financial literacy and other essential assistance in hard economic times.

Public libraries are facing the most severe cutbacks in decades as budget shortfalls hit cities, towns and rural areas across the country, according to the association. From Los Angeles to Boston, libraries are cutting hours and services; some are even facing the threat of closure at a time when their support is needed most.

ALA’s recommendation comes as Congress holds hearings this week on economic growth and job creation, including a Joint Economic Committee Hearing tomorrow.

Public libraries depend heavily on local property taxes to maintain operations. Across the country increased foreclosure rates, lower home values and fewer sales have sharply reduced available funds, forcing libraries to cut services and hours.

“America’s free public libraries provide a lifeline for citizens in need across the country,” said ALA President Jim Rettig. “Ensuring Internet access, career workshops, business seminars and other economic support services are vital links in the nation’s financial recovery. This is no time to cut much-needed support, reduce hours or close library doors.”

Rettig pointed to a recent ALA study showing that 73 percent of all libraries nationwide provide the only free Internet access in their communities. In rural areas the rate rises to 83 percent, according to the 2007-2008 report on public library funding and technology access. Many libraries are reporting double-digit growth in computer use this year, he said.

The National League of Cities recently estimated that a 3.6 percent decline in property tax revenues is likely to affect city budgets until 2010. In response to these budget shortfalls, libraries are being forced to cut back on hours or even close neighborhood branches.

The Trenton, NJ, public library will close its four branches and lose about half of its 57 employees by Nov. 1. The city of Milwaukee is considering closing two of its 12 branch libraries. In Newton, MA, outside of Boston, four branch libraries closed this summer; four others in nearby areas also closed or are on the chopping block.

Many cities are choosing between cutting staff and reducing hours. Others, such as Fort Worth, TX, are looking at both, with proposed cuts of more than 100 library jobs along with reduced hours. The city is facing an estimated annual shortfall of more than $20 million. Additionally, a number of communities are also facing shorter hours and fewer days of operation in Florida.

ALA’s recommendation for stimulus funding seeks support for basic library services across the country as well as specialized assistance to help Americans deal with the current economic crisis. In particular, funds are being requested to:

• Expand critical employment activities and services such as resume development, job bank web searches and career planning workshops;
• Reinstate or supplement evening and weekend hours of operation at libraries to provide the greatest possible access to services;
• Promote financial literacy, housing counseling and small business development assistance; and
• Acquire additional resources and materials to help keep up with increased demand for economic services nationwide.

Investments in libraries often yield high dividends for communities. Studies show economic returns from salaries and wages paid to staff, construction costs, employment services and library purchases. A recent Pennsylvania study points out that for every dollar invested in the public library, the community receives a return of $5.50. A similar report from Florida shows a $6.54 return on investment.

“Economic studies demonstrate the positive impact of spending in local communities,” said Joe Matthews, an internationally recognized expert on library management with an MBA degree from the University of California, Irvine.

“Known as the multiplier affect, every dollar spent in the community will ripple through the economy with an impact ranging from 7 to 11 times the initial spending,” he added. “The proposed stimulus spending for America’s public libraries will have an enormous impact on local economies, helping communities across the country get back on track financially.” Matthews is an acclaimed author and professor at San Jose State University.

It seems advocacy and proving the economic value of libraries is even more critical in tough economic times. I've been seeing a lot of popular press reports (some more humorous than others) that show public library use up.

Here's a smattering of those stories:

Libraries Shine in Tough Economic Times from NPR

Tough Times Equal Busy Times at Libraries from Channel 3000
This story talks about the return on investment. Maine is featuring a Library Use Calculator to help you calculate the library ROI.

And the one that got well-circulated is Stephen Colbert's satirical piece on libraries as the "Red Lending Menace".

I’ve heard that libraries are seeing more visitors, staying for longer periods of time, using the library as the destination for free family outings. It’s free and fun. What can we do to make even more obvious the "library as place"?

• Movie nights
• Discussion groups, book or otherwise
• Concerts
• Dances
• Cultural events...sharing of cultural traditions, celebrations
• Or how can we just work to make the environment more welcoming for families to lounge around together? Add beanbag chairs??

Can't wait for the town hall brainstorm, but please feel free to start here now!

"One Stops" are a good idea, if you've room and budget (for staff and a desk) ... otherwise we may simply be offering ourselves as overworked victims. Many of us would no doubt try to squeeze something in of course.

In my view, this is merely the result of a more general problem: public libraries are among the few accessible outposts left of "socialismus" in the United States. When there are general problems, we get called upon because there is no one else left to do it.

...And the followup, for how to get this ball rolling, if you haven't studied the Care and Feeding of the American Businessman:

There’s an interesting article speaking to European businesspeople, giving them advice on how to present their business plan in the United States. It gives an interesting insight into the American business psyche, and can provide some insights for librarians (or other non-profit folk) who are uncomfortable or unsure about how to communicate with business folk.

We need to know this, because the people that are elected to our City Councils and County Boards are usually business people. Knowing how to speak the language means you’ll be able to let them know why the library is important.

The author talks about the fundamental differences in approach:



Hmm. Not too different from the way librarians tend to approach these things. Of course books and reading and information are important. Now fund us. Unfortunately, this approach doesn’t work very well.

She continues:



It’s been my experience that not all business people think this way, but enough do that it’s advantageous to at least be able to get to the point. Quickly.



Oh, man, how cool would an iPhone library demo be? We’ve been told about elevator pitches for a while now. Substitute “legislator” for “investor” and you can see where this would be a good thing.



Again, substitute patron for customer, and you’ve got it. How are we addressing the needs of our patrons? Why are we a good deal? Why is the fact that we have a swell collection a good thing? How will it benefit the community?



I’m from the library and we’re here to help.



It’s not just Silicon Valley. If you aren’t intimately acquainted with your budget and how you benefit the community, you have homework to do.



Hoo, boy, can we learn from this one. Of late libraries have been running off in twelve different directions to be all things to all people. Stop. Focus.



Neither are legislators. They have a job to do, and if it’s politically expedient for them to back the library, they will. Make it expedient.



Yes. Go to meetings. Attend Rotary, or the Elks, or Jaycees, or whatever group hosts the movers and shakers in your community. Get out there. It’s much harder to cut the library’s budget if they personally know the librarian.



Bottom line it for them, folks. These guys work in bullet points all day long. They really don’t want to hear you wax rhapsodic.



It’s very easy to become defensive. Resist the urge.



WebJunction. Your state library agency. Other libraries and librarians. Friends of the library.

Some interesting food for thought. Don’t be afraid to get out there and try.

Absolutely!

And, if your library has a subscription to a series of online databases, do a presentation at the Chamber of Commerce about all of the cool stuff that's available - free - at the library. Most of them will be amazed.

Sponsor a series of programs at the library and enlist local businesses to be the presenters. The library gets an expert and the business gets free advertising. Think Landscaping, Faux Painting, Investing, etc.

At this time of year, offer babysitting services so that parents can Christmas shop. The local businesses LOVE this. Have a special storytime/craft time for a set number of hours on a Saturday morning and advertise it through the local Chamber of Commerce.

Will do!

Thanks, Jen....meet you at St. Jerry's later for a glass of wine!

Whether because of layoffs, reduced pensions, or increased cost-of-living, more people may visit the library to borrow what they had previously bought or rented. As your staff sees the DVD shelves empty and hear people wonder where the best sellers are, remind them that new (or born-again) users may not be familiar with the online catalog or the process of placing holds on checked out materials. This is a teaching moment ripe with opportunity.

The satisfied new users of today may become the advocates of tomorrow (or next budget year)

Come carry on the conversations arising from the Town Halls in the new group Tough Times.