Strong Libraries Mean Strong Communities

"Strong Libraries Mean Strong Communities" is the headline on the spring newsletter of the Mid-Hudson Library system. The entire newsletter is devoted to that theme, both in justifying the headline and also in suggesting what local libraries can do to improve their communities, especially what can be done in this time of economic hardship.

I have written before about how the current difficult financial problems affect libraries, so I want in this post to write more about what the Pleasant Valley Free Library is doing to help the community, especially with regard to the suggestions in the Mid-Hudson newsletter.  

One of the first things they suggest is classes in computer skills and help for patrons using computers that are provided free in the Library (we also have free WiFi for those who bring their laptops to the Library to work). Our next Internet training system will be on April 29, but if you visit the Library often you have surely seen Daniela or another member of the Library staff working directly with patrons on computer use, which can happen any time there is a need.  And it is not just computer use where our Library is providing help.  A seminar on Long-Term Health Care Needs on April 30 will be conducted by two wonderful community leaders, Fred Schaeffer and Denny Quinn, experts on law, finance, and insurance. 

The Mid-Hudson newsletter emphasizes keeping the Library in a sound financial state, which I believe the financial team of Daniela, the trustee's financial committee, our bookkeeper, and our outside accountant are managing with care and attention to detail.  It is true that we can no longer put off the major repair to the soffits (see earlier post), which will be very expensive--although we are seeking help from New York State for this, there is no guarantee that we will get it in these difficult times. 

Another concern that the Mid-Hudson newsletter addresses is--newsletters.  Some of you are now receiving the electronic newsletter from our Library, new this year and just publishing its third issue.  If you do not receive the newsletter now, just give your email address to anyone at the desk and say you want to be included (or email our director at danielapulice@hotmail.com).  Another means of communication is the Library Website. 

Finally, the newsletter suggests that patrons should be reminded that the Library is a great place to save money or to search for jobs:

• DVD's of movies and television shows are free. We have an unusually large and well-chosen collections, but you can also get DVD's using an interlibrary loan from any of the 65 libraries in the Mid-Hudson system--just ask.
• Not only can Library computers be used for job applications, but there are books available to help with resume writing or to use in preparing for work-related or school-related tests.

Hard Times and the Library (Updated)

It cannot have escaped anyone's attention that these are hard times--certainly a recession (now 16 months and continuing) and some would say a depression.  The economic climate has many effects on libraries. An earlier post discussed the problems that many libraries are having with their current budgets (see March 16, 2009, "Libraries Get You Through Times of No Money...") For this year, however, funding is not a major problem for the Pleasant Valley Free Library because of a New York State law that allows voters to lock in the Town portion of a free-assembly library. Yet the Town money is not the only source of income that our Library has, and the other sources have been shaky during the recession.  Fierce lobbying failed to preserve the State Library funds for the forthcoming year, which will be cut by $8 million according to the recently passed budget.  This will affect the Mid-Hudson system directly and our Library indirectly as Mid-Hudson is forced to raise fees to member libraries.   

However, the $14 million in the New York State budget for library construction funds has been preserved. Our Library has not been able to access these in the past because we don't have enough funds in our building or capital accounts to match the level of funding we might receive from the State (in the best possible outcome). The State refuses to grant construction money to a library unless it can show that it has enough cash on hand to complete the construction project without using State funds.  Talk about your Catch 22! We are actively seeking funds from individuals, foundations, and other sources for both capital (repairs and improvements on the Manse) and the building expansion, funds which may be more difficult to obtain during hard times. As always, we invite you to contribute to our Building Fund at the Community Foundation. 

Meanwhile, our Library, like libraries across the country, have become a first line of defense for joblessness. Our computers and printers are used for resume preparation.  Our newspapers are available for checking the want ads (also checkable on computers). Our collections provides many opportunities for self help.  And the Library, during open hours, is a place of refuge for those with no available home or workplace--although we do have a policy against using the Library as a bedroom, developed a few years ago when a homeless person regularly slept through the day at the Library.