"Since the recession took hold in December 2007, the local library, a traditional source of free access to books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, has becomea lifeline, offering technology training and workshops on topics that ranged from résumé-writing to job-interview skills.
The report shows the value of libraries in helping Americans combat the recession. It includes data from a January 2010 Harris Interactive poll that provides compelling evidence that a decade-long trend of increasing library use is continuing-and even accelerating during economic hard times. This national survey indicates that some 219 million Americans feel the public library improves the quality of life in their community. More than 223 million Americans feel that because it provides free access to materials and resources, the public library plays an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed.
And with more businesses and government agencies requiring applicants to apply on line, job-seeking resources are among the most critical and most in demand among the technology resources available in U.S. public libraries. Two-thirds of public libraries help patrons complete online job applications; provide access to job databases and other online resources (88 percent) and civil service exam materials (75 percent); and offer software or other resources (69 percent) to help patrons create résumés and other employment materials.
However, the report also shows that increased library use did not lead to an increase in funding for libraries. Research by the ALA and the Center for Library and Information Innovation at the University of Maryland suggests a "perfect storm" of growing community demand for library services and shrinking resources to meet that demand. While library use soars, a majority of states are reporting cuts in funding to public libraries and to the state library agencies that support them."
Also see the State of the Libraries report.
In spite of an outpouring of public support for libraries, the NYS Legislature still has not returned a budget that protects libraries from further cuts. Although the Senate has proposed a budget that restores the most current reductions in aid proposed by Gov. Paterson, the Assembly has yet not fully followed suit. And, of course, the governor has not signed off on any budget plan.
The library community has always been reasonable in its approach to state support for libraries. For instance, throughout the ' 90s and ' 00s, state support for many programs increased year after year while library aid remained static. As exasperating as this was, library users had little choice but to accept reassurances from their elected representatives that libraries were valued and would eventually be taken care of. Unfortunately, that never happened, and libraries are now being cut from a baseline amount that never grew when times were good.
The mission of the New Yorkers for Better Libraries PAC is to provide financial support to state legislators who are willing to stand up for libraries. Over the past two years, we contributed more than $56,000 to 34 separate state legislators. Although those numbers are impressive, we clearly need to do more.
Now is the time that we must redouble our efforts to prevent further reductions, strengthen our bonds with those in the legislature who can help us, and enhance relationships with those committed to libraries.
No comments:
Post a Comment