National Library Week 2014: Libraries Are Important

Libraries are important. Three simple words but to many these words are meaningless. They convey a belief or opinion that libraries have value. That libraries, of all sizes and types, should be held in high esteem. This high esteem does come with a price tag. After all anything of value should and always have had a number placed next to it to give it it's stature if you will. However, when a country like the United States (and even a few European countries) begin to doubt the strengths that a library in the community provides, it's disturbing to say the least. This is not the first time this topic has been discussed among library professionals or on this blog. It is an ongoing discussion that seeks to find the answer to "marketing" the library in a way that is enticing to patrons of all ages. Yet the words "Libraries are Important" begs one to ask why, how or when. The Pew Research Center conducted survey in 2013 to find out how the typical American felt about the public library. The answers and the numbers are illuminating and sheds some light on the why, how and when are libraries important. One of the most interesting number to pop out of this research is that 67% of respondents to the survey stated that a library closure would be a "major" impact on their family's life. That's an interesting figure seeing how just in New York City in May 2013 they were projecting that 60 of the cities' libraries would have to close. This was due to lack of funding and the route of privatization was being being pursued. Where is the disconnect here? In one major city 6o libraries will close yet in the research group 67% said that a community without a library would affect their families in a major way. In the boroughs of New York there are neighborhoods that not only need their libraries but will be disconnected to resource in a major way due to economic conditions. The case can always be made that libraries are a huge influence on the community. If there is a good library in the neighborhood, children have a safe place to go for programs or do homework. Adults have a place to gather information for home or work life. The lament continues: economic hardships brings more patrons through the door while at the same time, financial support for libraries drops. For the sake of the 67% who value the library, something has to be done to stop the maddening cycle of funding, then no funding. In many counties and cities across the United States, people are already seeing the demise of the local bookstore. Borders is gone. B. Dalton's is gone. Barnes & Nobles is on the way out. The only "bookstore" that is thriving is Amazon, which as everyone knows, it's online. Are libraries soon to follow suit? No and here's why. Bookstores are in the business to sell books. All kinds of books. If the economy is not healthy, the consumers don't have extra spending money. Not a good thing for a store but wonderful for a library. Bookstores also don't like people sitting around reading, unless the book has been purchased. Libraries on the other hand encourage reading in their buildings. As a matter of fact, the more readers the better. (Barnes & Nobles does have a coffee shop in the store, which may entice readers to sit, sip coffee and read. However, trust this one fact, managers are giving the stink eye to those who are reading a book. They can't help but wonder if the book has been bought or if the reader will buy it.) Bookstores have tried to model themselves after libraries in the hopes that it will draw readers into the stores. It turns out that people only go to the bookstore when they want to purchase a book. With libraries, there are a host of reasons to come in without feeling obligated to pull out their wallets. Libraries are what can be termed the "safe zone" to browsing, lingering and reading in the isles. Lastly, to be perfectly blunt, if a bookstore closes it does not impact a families' lifestyle. If they want a book to purchase, they will go somewhere else. For library services on the other hand, there is no where to go but to a library. Is there a good answer to why a library closing would impact a family? The best answer is that the library is a support for parents helping children with homework. It's a support for older patrons who need social interactions and book discussion groups fill that need. It's a support for job seekers looking for work or high school students preparing for SATs. In short it supports just about every type of household in the community. When is a library closing a major impact? When children in an urban city like New York or Detroit have to go across town to use a library. Let's be honest. If it is too hard for child to get to the library, they won't go. How can a parent, or mentor encourage reading when the opportunities are not readily available. Mayors de Blaio and Duggan should consider that children with low reading skills tend to drop out of school and their economic opportunities for jobs dwindle. (That's a rant for another day.) If the future of those children are not bright, then the city's future is just as dim. This week we celebrate National Library Week. why? For the reason that began this discussion. Libraries are important. They truly are. If just for a moment the country could just close their eyes and imagine a world without libraries, what would they envision? Hopefully, once they've open their eyes they will realize how horrible it would be not to have a library. For many, like the 67%, the idea is unthinkable. Let's try to convince the other 33% that it's unthinkable for them as well.

American Libraries Winning Streak! .

in recent months, good news about libraries have graced the pages of newspapers across the country. It gives hope for that their is a bright future for libraries. For the doubters, who have long since decided that libraries are archaic institutions, this should be proof that libraries are a valuable asset in the community. For those who have been fighting to save libraries, small and large, welcome the victory but have known all along a community without a library is a community on life support. This is hardly a time to retreat, pack up and go home. Instead there are many more battles that lie ahead. This is a good opportunity to look at some of the bigger "wins" and take note of what it took to win the battle.

Los Angeles' libraries were facing dire times. Not only were libraries closing, but popular TV night time hosts were making jokes about the lack of need for for the libraries. Jay Leno, had stuck his foot in his mouth that night and promptly received the ire of many library advocates, (among them American Library Association). This lead to his apology the next night. In reality, the Los Angeles libraries were severing their citizens quite well on a day to day basis, but like other libraries, city budget battles were placing them on the chopping blocks. In March of 2011 the citizens of Los Angeles voted YES to Measure L, which would keep the libraries funded and open. How did this measure pass when everyone is aware of LA's financial status, not to mention California's financial mess? Key groups coming together for a common goal. The combination of a $200.000 financial donation from the the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and a coalition of library advocates, teachers, and librarians who campaigned for the passage of Measure L, gave strength to the failing libraries. Make no mistake, this was and is a big win for libraries all across the United States.

On the other coast, New York City to be precise, the same battles facing Los Angeles' libraries were in play here as well. On the iconic steps of the New York City library, library supports gave the library a "hug" to show their support for the library budget restoration. Days later, Mayor Bloomberg must have gotten the message for the "311" calls that were made by library advocates demanding that the Big Apple did not lose it's core service,namely the library. In New York City's case the the Save NYC Libraries Postcard Campaign sent the message loud and clear to city council members about citizen's needs for the library. Over 4,000 postcards were written, collected and handed to Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer on June 17, 2011. If the 4,000 postcards didn't bring home the message the 200,000 signatures on a corresponding petition drove the point home. Budget battles never die, they live to fight for another day. Rest assured NYC library advocates will be calling on their supporters when libraries are on the chopping blocks.

Last but not least, Troy Public Library, in southeastern Michigan, won a huge battle on August 2 to save the library. The history of the mileages that were put on the ballot over the past year is so convoluted that it could read like a children's book "The Library That Could". The first mileage failed miserably due to the propaganda that tax payers didn't want or need more taxes. The second milage attempt failed because city council decided that confusing voters with four different library proposals would be the ideal way of "informing" the public. Not! The thidr attempt was a straight yes or no vote to continue funding the library for five years with the residents seeing a $68 increase in property taxes to cover the expense of the library. The staff of Troy Public Library should be commended for informing their patrons in clear terms what losing a library would mean to their daily lives. The win on August 2, was the "third" charm and all of Southeastern Michigan let go of a collective sigh of relief. Losing the library would have meant that Troy citizens would not have access to local libraries borrowing privileges. The city of Troy and many like them around Michigan have already lost too much in the recession. key services such as children's programming, internet , and job search resources would have been another slam on residents.

Libraries are beginning to win the fight to remain open. The only way to continue the winning streak is to gather as much "team" support for libraries as possible. Not to mention a marketing campaign that not only informs the public about the value of libraries but also invites them to see what the library has to offer. Voters who oppose library funding most likely have not been in a library for years. It's time to bring them back in order to show that libraries are not archaic, but thriving with old and new resources that bring information to them by traditional and digital means. For those voters who love libraries and consistently vote YES to library mileages, invite them also to be the voice of the library that the community needs to hear. They are and will always be our best cheerleaders!