Dave Granlund’s Library Budget Cuts
Jun 10th
Let’s hope this does not become the reality!
Dave Granlund's cartoon reflecting library budget cuts
Libraries are People
Jun 10th
Charlotte’s media folks have latched onto the plights of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system and continue to offer compelling stories to their audiences. Creating Loafing recently highlighted one of our staff, Sam Shapiro, and his film series that will be eliminated due to budget cuts. Programs and classes make our system outstanding and it’s the people behind these efforts that make everything happen. Check out the story and see if you can use a similar theme with your media contacts. 
Libraries are more than buildings and books, much more. Libraries are the people inside these buildings; they make it all possible.
Check out Sam’s story here: What budget cuts mean for library programs.
The Newbie
Jun 9th
Lori Reed asked me to assist in the monitoring and updating of this Web site. Though excited to contribute to such a worthy cause, I’m also extremely nervous. Lori is a guru at technology and I’m… well, I’m really good at talking. Hopefully, I can link you to the correct locations, educate you about the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system, and give you hope for a brighter future in the world of life long learning.
I wanted to have my first post be about me, or more specifically, why me? Why would Lori ask me, a girl with a blog called Lipstick Makes Everything Better, work and write for a library system? Because a library takes everyone, even me, a former head cheerleader and Sweetheart Princess who may very well own library books from my childhood because I couldn’t give them up. I still don’t know my way around my home town because I read everywhere we went.
Libraries are for everyone. The young to old; rich to poor; doctorate degree to no high school diploma; you walk in our doors and you will be served by educated and trained staff. Your story time will include necessary building blocks to ensure you are ready to read. Your homework research assignment will be accommodated. Your need for further technology skills will be addressed.
Or, at least, all of that used to be the case. I believe staff will continue to meet community needs as best they can. But financial support is critical. When it comes to retaining the best talent, libraries are no different than any other business. It takes money, along with a positive work environment, to retain the best talent. I’m ready to stand up for an institution that needs champions. As a former cheerleader, I’m used to rallying fans. Join me. Let’s go, fight, win!
arden elizabeth
SaveLibraries.org on the Charlotte News
Jun 4th
Here’s a post I wanted to share with the Save Libraries readers from my personal blog LoriReed.com.
I also wanted to add that this site is the effort of many not just me. Thank you to all of our contributors and to Blake Carver at LISHost for sponsoring the site and Robin Blum of In My Book® for additional sponsorship.
If your library is in trouble and you want to contribute to the site, please contact us! We can set you up with an account and you can share news about your library’s campaign.
It’s no secret that libraries around the country are facing devastating cuts. My own library had to give back $2 million with only weeks left in the fiscal year and at the same time County leaders advised us that we would face a 50% budget cut in July. At that time the Library laid off 120 of our staff–my colleagues and friends.
I’ve been pretty quiet online for the past few months about my personal experiences and feelings in all of this. Instead I’ve channeled my energy into a new website SaveLibraries.org in hopes that advocacy efforts can be shared and aggregated. The site has taken off and has almost become a second full-time job. While maintaining the site keeps me busy and keeps me from thinking too much about my own personal situation, every email, every post, every tweet reminds me that this fight for libraries is far from over.
So it was bittersweet when the local news called me to give an interview about the site. This isn’t the kind of publicity anyone wants to have. Though I am happy to talk about my work and the site, I would much rather focus on the value of libraries. If stories like this can help get the conversation started then the site and my efforts will have succeeded, but we also need to ask ourselves why we need to have this conversation in the first place. The fact that we need to tell people why libraries are valuable is a problem, a big one! It should be obvious in the work we do and the services we offer.
Please note that the site is SaveLibraries.org. WBTV got the link wrong in several of the visuals.
Advocacy U, Advocacy YOU
May 27th
The bad news is rampant. Libraries are in trouble, folks. All hands on deck!
Colorado’s Big, Hairy Audacious Goal Library Advocacy Initiative lays it out this way:
1. We can do nothing, and decline in silence.
2. We can complain about the situation to ourselves.
3. We can take steps to positively influence & reframe public perceptions about the financial support of libraries.
At a loss for where to begin? Looking for tools?
Check out:
- ALA’s Advocacy University.
- bhagColorado.blogspot.com
- Geek the Library: Show Your support
- The advocacy resource link to the right of this post.
This list is not complete. Please share your favorite sites in the comments section.
Tune in. Turn on. But please, don’t drop out.
We Will Not Be Shushed 24 Hour Read In – Support NYC Libraries
May 27th
UPDATE: To sign up, please email: savenyclibraries@gmail.com
For more information, please view the accessible link: www.savenyclibraries.org.
Taken from Facebook event (created by Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign)
“Come out and support libraries during the 24 hour We Will Not Be Shushed Read-In. This is going to be a unified libraries effort with readers and library workers from all three tri-li systems. We already have the full endorsement of Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Library administration. This is going to be a huge event in support of libraries.
We need your help! We need readers and we need supporters to come out and help out at the event. We will have a voice reading in front of the library for the full 24 hours. For that to happen it will take many voices to fill the time. Please contact us and sign up for a slot as soon as possible.
Together we can save our libraries and keep our library staff behind the desk where they belong.”
RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130741926940406&index=1
Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign
May 27th
Taken from the Facebook group:
“We are calling on all New Yorkers to write postcards to the New York City Council to show their love for and support of New York City’s public libraries.
The purpose of the Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign is to unite library staff and community members in support for New York City’s public library systems (Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library) and in opposition to the proposed budget cuts for the next fiscal year.
While we understand that New York City is facing a difficult economic climate, we believe that public library service must be strengthened, not dismantled, in order to serve the diverse educational and informational needs of New York City residents.
We want our voice to stand out and apart from mass-produced advocacy campaigns. We believe that personalized, mailed physical items carry greater weight with our elected representatives than a virtual petition or a Facebook group.
We are actively working to partner with interested community groups to Save NYC Libraries. Please contact us if your group or organization would like to sponsor the Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign.
SEND ALL POSTCARDS TO
Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer
47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Thank you for your support! Together we can raise our voices and make ourselves heard!”
Join the group and get involved:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108524095853956
NPR Presents “Tales From the Library”
May 26th
NPR has a new radio show that focuses on storytelling called Snap Judgement. You’ve got to check out “Tales From the Library.” Also, don’t miss the reviews at the bottom of the page.
Can the Ghostbusters Save Libraries?
May 20th
CO’s anti-tax firebrand, Doug Bruce, on the hot seat
May 13th
Doug Bruce has been wrangling anti-tax sentiment in Colorado for years. His latest work revolves around three 2010 Colorado ballot initiatives that will have a dire impact on public service and the health of Colorado if they pass. Today, The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that a Denver court has issued Bruce an order requiring him to appear for a deposition in connection with campaign finance complaints surrounding the ballot initiatives.
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