News
2010 State of America’s Libraries Report
Apr 15th
ALA released the 2010 State of America’s Libraries report today. The report reveals that more and more people are turning to public libraries in these times of economic uncertainty, while funding continues to lag behind the booming demand for our services.
Links for April 2nd from 10:26 to 16:06
Apr 2nd
These are pro-library, library news, and library advocacy links for April 2nd from 10:26 to 16:06:
- A Nation Without School Librarians – Google Maps – This map marks the cities, towns, communities, and states that have made the decision to either eliminate certified school library positions (indicated in blue) or require one school librarian to work with two (2) or more school library programs throughout the week (indicated in red).
- NJASL Testimony on Proposed School Budget Cuts Affect on School Libraries | mycentraljersey.com | MyCentralJersey.com – The New Jersey Association of School Librarians recognizes that the state faces a monumental budget crisis this year, and the Legislature and Governor have to make extremely difficult decisions about how to address the current shortfall. “School libraries are cost effective. Every resource in a school library that includes books, media, computers, and other learning tools is available to every student and teacher in the school. Proposed cuts to the State Library budget will have a direct negative impact on all public, academic and school libraries if approved.” Massey explains.
- New Jersey Library Association / Save New Jersey Libraries – Gov. Christie's budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services. This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services. This will affect all types of libraries in New Jersey. Once state funding is eliminated, NJ will lose $4.5 million in federal funding. What does this mean to NJ residents? Once state and federal funding are lost the impact will be felt by all residents:
- More Info – Nationally acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson visited Mexico High School's Pierce Library on Tuesday (March 30) speaking to more than 50 students about her life leading up to becoming an author and her work since.
The author of seven novels, Anderson's main message to the gathered sophomores and juniors was about the importance of libraries.
Click the video icon to watch the story.
- How Libraries Stack Up: 2010 [OCLC - Reports] – This new report examines the economic, social and cultural impact of libraries in the United States. As the current economic environment is impacting library budgets and library usage is increasing, particular attention is paid to the role that libraries play in providing assistance to job-seekers and support for small businesses. Information includes statistics on…
- PRINCETON: Libraries chafed by Christie cuts – For example, many people are using library computers to run their self-employed businesses, she said. While it’s not the library’s job to provide that access, it’s better than that person sitting at home and collecting welfare, she said.
”What the folks up on high don’t realize is how many people are struggling now,” she said. “Libraries are part of the safety net.”
Ms. Burger said there needs to be more dialogue about not only the proposed library funding cut, but also those to schools and municipalities that are included in the proposed budget.
”There hasn’t been any dialogue,” she said. “I think that’s a missing link that doesn’t lead to rationale decision making in a civil society.”
Links for April 2nd from 01:13 to 01:41
Apr 2nd
These are pro-library, library news, and library advocacy links for April 2nd from 01:13 to 01:41:
- Public Libraries: An Indispensable ‘Nonessential’ | TheLedger.com – The Legislature is desperate to find places to cut, and it is looking at so-called nonessential services. But for many library users, the library is essential, it is the only place many can access computers and the Internet, necessary to seeking a job in today's marketplace. Moreover, it is a positive public service that is seeing steadily increasing use, even as budgets keep shrinking.
These are desperate times, and some cuts to the State Aid to Libraries program might be unavoidable. But it is evident that taxpayers are getting more bang for their buck than ever with libraries – use is way up even as budgets are way down – and that should resonate with our lawmakers in Tallahassee.
- Melanie Hollis: Public libraries a great resource for children || OnlineAthens.com – As parents, we want our children to be successful in life, and few things will lead to that success better than reading. For us, the most amazing resource at our community library, other than the books and information contained within, is our beloved librarian.
The librarian is one of the greatest sources of inspiration and motivation to schoolchildren, going to schools and reading books specific to the age group and event. He or she has the amazing gift to make the stories she reads come alive. The students become engaged and transformed.
- One-Third of U.S. Population Uses Public Library Internet; Social Networking, Education Most Popular » Spotlight – “There is no ambiguity in these numbers,” said Marsha Semmel, acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “Millions of people see libraries as an essential tool to connect them to information, knowledge, and opportunities. Policy makers must fully recognize and support the role libraries are playing in workforce development, education, health and wellness, and the delivery of government services.”
From the executive summary (PDF):
Librarians enhance the computing and Internet experience. The availability of the Internet at the library coupled with the vast number of online transactions has expanded the librarian’s job and mission, creating a new set of opportunities and service challenges. Librarians have begun serving as informal job coaches, college counselors, test monitors, and technology trainers for the growing number of patrons navigating government aid, the job market, and all levels of education on library computers.
- How the library is helping people find work | FOX 21 Online – DULUTH – For those on the unemployment line, libraries are becoming an increasingly important resource. For many, it's their only access to the internet where so many tools to re–employment are available.
Tyrone Borno is out of work. Many in his situation would just hop on the home computer to see who's hiring.
"No, I can't. I have to utilize the library," he says. - Imaginary People: Chicago Public Library Powers Business – Working with limited finances, the Chicago Public Library was invaluable to us in figuring out what type of business we should register as and how to go about doing so. We were also able to research the way we should be handling our taxes. At one point we ran into some trademark and copyrighting issues and the resources at the Library came in very handy. When you don’t have the funds to have a lawyer at your disposal the Library becomes your other business partner.
Ask your senators to support library funding!
Mar 29th
From the American Libraries Association Office:
Please call your U.S. senators in Washington, D.C., today and ask them to sign onto a “Dear Appropriator” letter that is circulating around the Senate. This letter will be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee and will be asking the committee to support the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (ILTSL) program in its FY2011 budget.
BACKGROUND ON THE PROGRAMS AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
LSTA
Congress is currently drafting the federal budget for fiscal year 2011. It has never been more important than now that Congress fully funds the LSTA, the only annual source for federal funding to libraries. As Congress writes next year’s budget they need to understand that dollars from the state and local levels are at an all-time low, and libraries can not continue to do their important work without this funding.
In this “Dear Appropriator” letter that is circulating around in the Senate, the signatures are urging the Appropriations Committee to include $300 million in funding through LSTA in the FY2011 budget. Please contact your two senators’ offices and tell them about the work your library does in the state and community. It is always a good idea to stress what programs and resources your library provides to help build the local economy, help kids with their homework, and so much more. After you have explained how libraries are an incredibly valuable investment, please ask your senator to sign onto the “Dear Appropriator” letter supporting LSTA and Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (ILTSL).
School Libraries
In his FY2011 budget request, President Obama consolidated Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with five other literacy programs. This would mean that school libraries will have to directly compete with other dissimilar programs to receive federal dollars under the President’s plan. However, Congress is drafting their own budget for FY2011 right now, and there is no word yet if they will go along with President Obama’s recommendation of consolidation. Congress needs to hear from you NOW about the important role that school libraries play in today’s schools.
Right now there is a letter circulating around the Senate urging the Appropriations Committee to specifically appropriate $100 million for the ILTSL program. This amount would make money available to every state, rather than the current competitive grant program. Please contact your two senators’ offices explaining to them how important having a school library can be in a child’s education. Please ask them to sign on to the ILTSL and LSTA “Dear Appropriator” by customizing the letter below.
The deadline for the “Dear Appropriator” letter is April 14, so please contact your senators today and urge them to sign on! Also, please ask your friends and library supporters to contact their senators as well – we need to keep the pressure on our elected officials so these programs receive the funding they need.
To take action, please take the following steps:
- Please go to http://capwiz.com/ala.
- Customize the sample letter as you see fit – remember, a personal story on how your library benefits your community matters the most!
- Enter your contact information.
- Press Send.
- If you would prefer to call your representative, feel free to dial the Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 and ask for your representative. The switchboard will transfer you to their office. If you need to locate your members of Congress, please go to http://capwiz.com/ala/.
- Please ask your friends and supporters to call. We need as many signatures as possible on these letters and your grassroots efforts could make the difference.
Kristen Murphy
American Library Association
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“Save Our Libraries” Campaigns Around the Country
Mar 26th
Many “Save Our Library” and “Save Our Libraries” websites, Facebook groups, Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts, and other online presences have been created in response to the growing number of libraries that are facing budget cuts, staffing cuts, and even closure at both the local and the state level. Stephen Abrams asked Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, “Has anyone collected a list of the Save Our Libraries websites and Facebook pages? I think a big central list is needed! Support them all.”
One of the purposes of this site as we get it going, is to do just what Stephen suggested. If your public library, your school library, your state library, your state library association, any other type of library has a web presence of any kind to bring together your library advocates for a save library campaign, please take a couple of minutes to fill out this form. We’ll post your group’s information within 24 hours under the local efforts or statewide efforts pages.
Also, as Lori has mentioned in earlier posts on this site, we are looking for contributors to this site, to write news posts, testimonials, and library stories. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in contributing. Please keep checking back as we continue to build this site.
Save Libraries Photos
Mar 25th
Heather Braum and I are working diligently to get Save Libraries up and running. We’ve added a photo page pulling in all the Flickr photos tagged “savelibraries.”
Take a look at the images, let us know what you think, and volunteer to help the cause by tagging related photos with “savelibraries.”
We Need Testimonials!
Mar 23rd
One of the most important pieces for library advocacy is testimonials from library customers. Do you love your library? Do your patrons love your library? We are collecting letters, video, photos – testimonials on the value of libraries.
You can email us the items at savelibs@gmail.com or upload items to flickr, YouTube, etc and tag with savelibraries.
Thank you for your support!
Save Our Libraries!
Mar 21st
First of all thank you to Blake Carver and LISHost.org for donating hosting for this site and getting WordPress up and running within minutes. This site is dedicated to advocacy for libraries–getting the message out about why libraries are important.
It’s important for us to remember that when one library closes, it sets a precedent for others.
We’re looking for advocacy information, testimonials from patrons and staff, photos, videos, anything to help save our libraries.
Please use the tag savelibraries or #savelibraries on Twitter. If you would like to contribute to this site please email savelibs@gmail.com.
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