WebJunction - Group: Tough Times

RE: News at the federal level for libraries in tough times

2009-10-22T19:40:16Z

Hope everyone has visited http://recovery.gov, the U.S. government's website devoted to the use of funds available through the Recovery Act.

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-04-17T20:25:36Z

Thanks Tom!
The outstanding set of info gathered here is sure to be valuable to many other libraries. Thanks so much for sharing the link. I was especially fascinated by the "brainstorm" of answers to the questions asked...real issues in really tough times.

Thanks again!
JP

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-04-17T20:11:50Z

At the library system where I work, South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS), we invited members to attend one of three meetings during March 2009 which focused on the libraries’ responses to these uncertain economic times. The meetings included a complimentary lunch and provided a forum for librarians to network with other librarians, discuss strategies for addressing reduced or maintained funding, share ways of promoting their libraries as an important economic resource and identify resources to assist users seeking jobs.

Some of the questions addressed included:
• How has the current economic climate affected your library service?
• What budget cuts have you already had and what cuts do you anticipate?
• What are you doing to position your library during this economic downturn? Do you have any suggestions?
• What promotions have you done or do you have planned?

With one exception, 24 of 25 participants indicated increased recent use of the library in general and specifically: increased visits by users, circulation of library materials, use of computers and Internet resources and interlibrary loans. Among those library users who were self-identified as unemployed, library participants noted their use of library computers to file for unemployment benefits, complete online job applications and for personal education.

To see a list of responses and a list of libraries that attended please visit the Uncertain Economic Times section of the SCKLS webpage

There you will also find further resources and links related to libraries in the current economic downturn.

Thank you

RE: Looking to state legislatures for support of local libraries

2009-02-24T19:20:01Z

Of course, we can make a plea to the state legislature to give libraries a helping hand. With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law, there is a possibility that libraries could benefit from this stimulus plan. We can appeal to senators or congressmen to fulfill our request by informing them about the importance of maintaining our public libraries, with a circulating petition to prove how much they are valued by the communities. I cannot guarantee that they will approve and I more than certain that a government cannot always be there to help. However, I might know of another way to preserve our libraries. If the libraries are indeed valued by their communities, this can be a perfectly good opportunity to do some fund-raising. I can elaborate on this if you like. (I do not mean to be so abrupt by ending this way, but I do want to avoid going off topic.)

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-02-12T23:22:35Z

Bob,
Your mention of the press reminded me I wanted to mention the nice collection of press that some of our partner states are sharing on their blogs about libraries in the news. Much of it is in the "libraries in tough times" category:

WJ-Minnesota: MN Libraries in the News

WJ-Illinois: IL Libraries in the News

WJ-Indiana: See More Library News at the bottom of this post.

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-02-12T23:04:32Z

Our circ continues to climb, going from ~1,020,000 last year to ~1,100,000 by the time we get to June 30 this year. We know we're busy; so do our users. The local newspapers have been supportive (reporters ask now about how busy we've been) and even some of the local politicians "get it."

We are *so* lucky inasmuch as we're a district and thus not beholden to another taxing body for our income.

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-02-12T22:54:55Z

Here's a survey about the increasing usage] of Washington state's libraries:

"...people are inundating libraries to use their computers to apply for jobs, file for unemployment, and use other resources."

This is not surprising to those of us working in or with libraries, but it will hopefully impress the funding decision-makers.

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-01-29T21:30:43Z

Thanks Sharon,
This is truly informative and I'm sure indicative of libraries around the country. Thanks so much for posting.
JP

RE: Increased demands on libraries?

2009-01-28T20:39:56Z

I thought you'd be interested in a recent mid year survey we conducted in Connecticut. We wanted to capture figures on library use to see if the anecdotal information we've been hearing is true. We also looked at how library budgets are doing. As you'd expect, use is up and support will probably be going down. We just released the survey results today.

ALA's New Advocacy Site

2009-01-15T16:01:12Z

ALA has just announced a new website to help libraries be effective advocates. Here, in part, is their announcement. Check it out, it contains some very useful resources.

"A new web-based resource has just been released that will help library advocates make the case for libraries during times of economic downturn. Advocating in a Tough Economy.

The toolkit contains information on how to work with decision-makers, ways to work with the media, and talking points to help libraries articulate the role of libraries in times of economic downturn. Talking points on the economic value of libraries, with return-on-investment examples; libraries and the economy; and upswings in library usage are included. Users are also invited to share their stories of how they have successfully advocated. Recent media coverage of libraries is also featured.

This resource is part of the Advocacy U, ALA’s new initiative geared to providing tools, training and resources to library advocates achieve real advocacy goals in real situations at the local level."

RE: Limiting Internet access

2009-01-12T22:06:22Z

I know what you mean. The only solutions I can think of are to have separate reserach computers or to add more computers to the lab. Of course, each of those options has its drawbacks. You can't really monitor whether a patron is doing research on his workstation, and adding more computers would probably just mean more people on MySpace!

Limiting Internet access

2009-01-12T19:43:38Z

It is very frustrating when a student needs to do research or write a paper and you have 9 computers with people looking at myspace.

RE: survey discussion on Dec. 12

2009-01-09T01:16:35Z

Yes! Thank you Barbara.

These are great questions!

Media coverage: WAMU and others

2009-01-08T17:56:31Z

I went searching for the item below from a co-worker's alert, and finally found a reference in a blog. I couldn't believe how many local news stories came up in a news search for the first week of 2009 on the topic of the role of libraries in tough times.

Listen to the Diane Rehm show on WAMU, January 7th:
11:00 The Role of Libraries in Economic Hard Times
There's a recording there too.
Libraries today have become multimedia centers, offering not only books but DVDs, e-books and Internet access. They can also be an especially important community resource during times of economic hardship. A look at the future of libraries in a slowing economy.
Guests
Carla Hayden, executive director, Enoch Pratt Free Library and past president of the American Library Association
Jim Rettig, President of the American Library Association. He is also the University Librarian at the Boatwright Memorial Library at the University of Richmond, Virginia.
Ginnie Cooper, Chief Librarian for the District of Columbia Public Library. She is the Former Executive Director of the Brooklyn Public Library.

found on the Superpatron blog

RE: survey discussion on Dec. 12

2009-01-02T20:45:28Z

The great thing though Barbara is that you made it! Thanks for all the great contributions to the Town Hall meetings.

RE: Looking to state legislatures for support of local libraries

2008-12-23T18:33:05Z

I don't think libraries need to be punished (isn't having a poor library punishment enough?) but there do need to be carrots.

Also, state libraries need to be raising aspirations ... helping library boards define what they *should* offer.

RE: Public service

2008-12-19T23:13:00Z

For an in-service, it's a presentation on "why a library?" (I give it as part of my "state of the library" speech). The nuts-and-bolts training usually has a customer service component.

survey discussion on Dec. 12

2008-12-18T19:45:34Z

It's taken me all week to get here. HERE I AM. The four questions suggested to start a conversation are: How do they spend their time-not what they would like to do but what do they actually do? How do they spend their money? What do they worry about? What do they dream about or wish for? Also, to learn more about what maybe we should look at: What is the library doing well? What could the library do better? What is it "bad" at? What should it stop doing? What is your advice for me?
Sorry it took me so long....Barb See you in a little while

RE: Talk less, listen more to your patrons

2008-12-17T17:09:36Z

One is: ask questions in your blog (and/or newsletter) and provide your e-mail address. It's best if these are narrowly focused.

Be sure to answer!

Having others do public outreach on behalf of the library

2008-12-16T20:31:16Z

We've all been following the story of the potential closure of 11 branch libraries in Philadelphia. I saw this editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer, written by the executive director of the Friends of the Free Library, and thought it was a great example of having the public awareness torch being carried by well-informed folks in the community. It was also nice to see some comments had already been posted to the editorial.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20081214_Alternatives_to_closings.html

Sharon