Make a Splash--Read! @ Your Library

An exciting summer of story programs, guest speakers, art workshops, theater performances, storytellers and more for children and teens just started at your local library! Calendars of summer events are available at your local library or on the library's website: sclibs.net/Kids/Summer2010/makeasplash.aspx.

Recession Drives More Americans to Libraries in Search of Employment Resources; But Funding Lags Demand

CHICAGO – When jobs go away, Americans turn to their libraries to find information about future employment or educational opportunities. This library usage trend and others are detailed in the 2010 State of America’s Libraries report, released today by the American Library Association. The report shows that Americans have turned to their libraries in larger numbers in recent years.

Since the recession took hold in December 2007, the local library, a traditional source of free access to books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, has become a 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.

Other key trends detailed in the 2010 State of America’s Libraries Report:

• Internet use continues to expand at public libraries, which have seen double-digit growth since 2007 in the on-line services they make available to their patrons. More than 71 percent of public libraries provide their community’s only free public access to computers and the Internet, according to an article in the November 2009 issue of "American Libraries." Wireless access also continues to grow and is now offered at more than 80 percent of public libraries.
• Ninety-six percent of Americans feel that school libraries are an essential part of the education experience because they provide resources to students and teachers and because they give every child the opportunity to read and learn. School librarians play a crucial role in “keeping the digital doors open to help young people think about learning beyond the classroom,” according to one authority on online social networking sites. However, funding for school libraries also lags.
• America’s academic libraries are experiencing increased use, both physical and virtual. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports academic libraries have more than 20.3 million visits per week (1.5 million more than two years earlier), answered more than 1.1 million reference questions, and made more than 498,000 presentations to groups. Almost 95 percent of students use their academic library’s website at least once a week, according to one study of students and technology, and nine out of 10 college students surveyed in another study said they turned to libraries “for online scholarly research databases . . . for conducting course-related research, valuing the resources for credible content, in-depth information, and the ability to meet instructors’ expectations.”
• America’s libraries continue their efforts to support minorities and other underserved or disadvantaged populations. The ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program, for example, awarded 48 scholarships in 2009 to members of underrepresented groups to help them pursue master’s degrees; and the library community remained committed to sustained efforts on behalf of people with visual and other disabilities and adult English-language learners.
• The library community continues to defend a core value embodied in the First Amendment and the corollary right to receive and consider ideas, information, and images. Librarians nationwide encountered new challenges as a range of individuals and groups sought to have books or other materials removed from public access, and as the federal government debated extending the life of intrusive legislation such as the USA PATRIOT Act.
• Library construction fared better in 2009 than many expected during the recession, especially given the unreliability of funding for programming, materials, and hours. The answer may be that money earmarked years ago was seeing construction through to conclusion. Many of the new libraries and renovations show a timely concern for the environment.

The full text of The State of America’s Libraries, 2010, is available at http://tinyurl.com/State2010.

In Midnight Deal, Florida Legislature Reprieves Public Library Funding*

Last-minute wrangling in the Florida legislature produced a deal to preserve state funding for libraries at the current-year level. At just before midnight on April 26 the House, which originally wanted to zero out all funding for the State Aid to Public Libraries program, accepted a Senate offer to restore it to the FY2009 appropriation of $21.2 million. The restored funding level makes the state eligible for $8.4 million in matching federal funds.

The budget agreement was reached at the last possible minute: The 60-day legislative session ends April 30, and a 72-hour waiting period is required between distribution of printed copies to lawmakers and the final vote.

Members of the library community had been advocating for the restoration of state funding since March, when the appropriations committees of both houses adopted positions eliminating state aid to libraries, according to the Florida Library Association, which noted that library funding had already been cut by a third over the past decade, from $33.4 million in FY2000 to $21.2 million in FY2009.

FLA Executive Director Faye Roberts said Capwiz legislative action software provided by the American Library Association to state chapters was invaluable in getting the message out to decision makers: Over 60,000 messages were sent using the software over the eight weeks preceding the budget agreement.

The local advocacy effort in Sarasota County was spearheaded by library support groups such as the Friends Alliance, a coalition composed of representatives of the eight Friends of the Library organizations. According to Libraries General Manager Sarabeth Kalajian, the effort was successful:

"The Friends of the Library rallied support by distributing flyers and displaying large posters at the entrance to each of the libraries. They took the time to explain to library users the negative impact that would result from the budget reductions. It was clear to see that library users do not want to see services decreased! They made phone calls, overflowed e-mail in-boxes, and wrote letters. It would have been impossible for any single group to accomplish the restoration of the funding. But, by working together, library supporters from Sarasota County helped bring back the funding."

*Source: American Libraries Magazine online (http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/04272010/midnight-deal-florida-legislature-reprieves-public-library-funding) with additional local information.

Teen Advisory Board Lands on Planet Teen

Teens are now donating more time than ever before to help Jacaranda Public Library. The reason is the establishment of a Teen Advisory Board, or TAB, which is already two months old. Beginning in March, six teens have been meeting twice monthly to discuss current topics, enjoy sandwiches or pizza, and decide what kinds of programs they want the library to support for their age group. The teens, in grades eight through twelve, attend various Venice and Sarasota schools.

Amidst animated discussions, members planned movie nights and game nights to be held beginning in May and throughout the year. After the purchase of XBOX360 courtesy of the Friends of Jacaranda Public Library, Inc., the TAB members helped set up the game system and tried out “World of Warcraft 2.” So far, Jacaranda Public Library has purchased three TAB-recommended XBOX games geared toward older teens. Future games will include younger “Young Adults” (ages 11 and up) acquired through a joint game-sharing effort with the Elsie Quirk Public Library in Englewood. Jacaranda’s TAB members have also offered to bring games and additional controllers from home, enabling more participation.

In addition to games and movie nights, the TAB members decorated the Young Adult area and created genre bookmarks for National Library Week in April. They are also creating flyers and signup sheets for this summer’s Young Adult programs and Summer Reading.

TAB teens pitched in with their ideas to relocate Young Adult fiction books, DVDs, CDs and videos to a shelving area near the Circulation Desk and contributed thoughts on new signage. The move will free up much needed shelving space in the Planet Teen area of Jacaranda. TAB members are also planning to help with Family Dinner programs scheduled for summer and fall 2010.

TAB is a perfect marriage of a public library’s desire to attract young adults and a teen’s desire to be part of and engaged in a community. TAB volunteer experience, while rewarding in itself, will enhance college applications and provide leadership and team experiences that will prepare them for success. Thank you, TAB members!