Report: More Using Libraries; Funding Lags Demand
Interesting and timely report from the American Library Association (ALA) on the state of America’s libraries.
The ALA report says that when jobs go away, Americans turn to their libraries to find information about future employment or educational opportunities. This library usage trend shows that Americans have turned to their libraries in larger numbers in recent years.
However, the report also shows that increased library use did not lead to an increase in funding for libraries. The 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.
For the full report, click HERE.
April 16th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Libraries seems to be exactly one of those services that could benefit by combining the service of several communities. I couldn’t say if the startup cost of combining the various programs would be too high, but I imagine a system of 20 libraries, for example, could be run much more efficiently and provide a better quality service than a system of 1-4 libraries which most surrounding communities have.
April 16th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Dearborn libraries are underutilized by district students. Perhaps if the Dearborn Libraries ( Centennial in particular) appeared as less of a daycare center for disobedient children and more of a learning environment theyd be more inclined to visit. Just a thought.
April 16th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Just out of curiosity, how much exactly are the Dearborn libraries underfunded? Do other cities allow free library use and support them by tax millage or do some have a usage fee for their libraries? If it is feasible to set up a daily or yearly pass for the libraries, like we do with the pools and would this be feasible or not?
I believe that although every public school in Dearborn has libraries, we have a wonderful, unique situation in Dearborn with 4 public libraries that are worth saving.
As nice of a luxury as it may be to have the Ford Performing Arts Center, the Dearborn Hills Golf Course and the Mystic Creek Golf Course in Camp Dearborn, I’d rather see them sold to save the libraries, if that is what it takes. Dearborn Towers is another Dearborn facility that is minimally used by citizens, so we can sell that as well to fund libraries.
Like the pools building strong bodies and healthy minds, the libraries build stronger, healthier minds and the stronger and healthier children’s minds are, the better citizens they will become.
April 17th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Respectfully DCS:
Library behavior is an issue to be taken up directly with the Director, Ms Maryanne Bartles. I agree with you that the library is not a daycare. In fact, it is again city ordinance. However, there is a great children’s section but, at times can be distracting to readers and students because of the nature of the section.
What you are describing is a lack of understanding, respect or ignorance of how one should behave at a library.
Respectully Ray. I believe that there is a consortium of libraries either Wayne county or tri-county wide. Consolidation of library systems, in my opinion, does not seem to be a more efficient way of running a library system. As with all consolidation, the end result is ALWAYS worse service than before or elimination of services. Hard numbers and leadership is necessary before any more real discussion.
The Dearborn Public Libraries are a tremendous resource for ALL Dearborn citizens, young and old alike, regardless of income.
Respectfully Mr. Albano. Can the discussion really be that simple? While I wholeheartedly agree that Dearborn Libraries need to be open and are vital to our community’s existence, others with agendae would argue the same of the other assets of the City you mention. All could be deemed sources of revenue that come into the City coffers from out of the City. What we don’t have, is transparency into all a) bugdets, b) management, c) agreements d) true usage of our assets.
April 17th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Yes Anthony, it can be that simple. A sign of a great leader, is one who can take what appears to be the most complex issue and break it down into something simple so that the people they lead fully understand the issue. The average person most likely doesn’t even know how to read the budget or how to find it. Therefore it would be much easier to put it in black and white, such as a newspaper article, telling everyone what the revenues and expenses of all our amenities and services are. Some will always lose money, like recreational parks and others, but city owned golf courses, a city owned $45 million dollar recreational center that no other city has and others, if they’re losing millions and they are able to be sold at a profit, then the money can be put to more important use like the libraries, pools, and whatever the citizens deem is most important.
April 19th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
“The average person most likely doesn’t even know how to read the budget or how to find it.”
You precisely describe the “holier than thou” attitude of government. No transparency. If the budget were out in the open. Then, we, the citizens would know what is being spent and where. This is one of the sources of distrust of our elected leaders.
We balance our checkbooks, sir. We budget our family’s funds. We can certainly understand the city budgets, unless there is something someone wants to hide.
In terms of revenue v. service in Dearborn; Libraries are not a prime ‘source’ of revenue. Neither is trash pick-up. Neither is a swimming pool. The Performing Arts-Rec Center can be. Golf courses can be. If an asset can be used to bring in money from outside the city, AND provide a service to citizens from within and outside Dearborn it can be considered a revenue-generating asset. None, if the balance sheet is followed and planned, will lose a significant amount of money. If the asset is primarily for citizens of Dearborn, then it most likely will not generate revenue for other departments, but (hopefully) maintenance of said asset.
You see, if you defer maintenance on an asset, you are going to pay MORE in the future for upkeep of that asset.
Now, the more the City keeps ‘under their hats’ how they come up with numbers, who gets bids, no bids, the more citizens are going to have uprisings like the pool closing issue.
How about a presentation from the Council & Mayor saying, we do not want to close the pools…what can we come up with to keep them open?
THAT was NOT the way it was presented to anyone in our city.
Yours, Anthony
April 21st, 2010 at 6:19 am
Many other communities do combine library services. If I have a Dearborn Heights library card I can check out books in Plymouth, Canton, Westland, or any of the 65 library systems through Southeast Michigan through Michigan’s TLN consortium. Dearborn chooses not to participate because they don’t want their books leaving the area which is unfortunate as our hours get cut further and further. I’d go to Kennedy in the Heights on a Friday when Bryant branch was closed or on a weekend in the summertime when our whole system shuts down. It would be nice for residents to have options.
April 21st, 2010 at 10:27 am
What Chel is suggesting might work. Mayor O’Reilly did state that the city is also looking at working with some surrounding communities on combining some services, which could also help.
April 21st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Anthony,
I like the way you think. Ever consider running for office? Although Michael Albano is more often than not completely respectful, I found that statement you refered to a bit out of character. Let’s hope his thought was mis-stated…if that makes sense. Anyway, you are right on the money.
April 21st, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I try my best to show respect for whatever someone else states, even if I disagree with it. I don’t know what it might be that I wrote to anyone that was disrespectful, but sorry if it appeared that way, as I didn’t mean for whatever it was to be taken that way.
April 21st, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Michael: You’re fine. I think there was some offense taken at the comment about the public not understanding the budget. But you are fine, you obviously have a lot of info to offer.
April 24th, 2010 at 8:27 am
chel states that many communities in the area have combined library services. Unfortunately, like a lot of folks, chel has a mistaken impression on how this actually works. Each of these communities pay individually for their library services. The village of Plymouth budgets for libraries. Canton budgets for libraries. The city of Livonia budgets for libraries. What you are seeing in action is a reciprocal borrowing agreement through the TLN cooperative. This service takes additional money. It isn’t just about ‘our’ books going somewhere else. (Althought that *can* put additonal strain on the dwindling book budget of the Dearborn Library. And remember we aren’t the only city facing cuts and some of those cities are getting hit worse.) The library would have to pay for additional delivery service. There would be a significant increase in staff time needed to pull requests. (Trust me. I used to be one of those folks that pulled requests at one of those reciprocal libraries. And library I worked for didn’t have that big of a collection. It was only about the size of Snow Branch.) There are other costs involved too. It looks really great when you just look at the surface, but like a lot of other things, the stuff under the surface needs to be considered.
And by the way, chel, Henry Ford Centennial is open on Fridays 9:30am-5:30pm. You don’t have to go all the way over to Dearborn Heights.
I have also seen in other postings the suggestion that we charge for library service. Can’t happen. Under the law, a public library must circulate some materials to people in their service area for FREE. If they charge for everything, they cease to be a *public* library. That is not to say that the library cannot charge for some services or for the circulation of some materials. (Dearborn charges for interlibrary loan, internet access if you are not a cardholder, printing, copying and non-resident cards for people who do not live, work, go to school or own property in the City of Dearborn and a small portion of Dearborn Heights.) The library could charge for other things. New books could be rented. If you want to get a book from another (Dearborn) library or to be in line for a new item, you could be charged. The library could rent movies instead of checking them out for free. The library could charge a entrance fee for every program that they have. Other library systems do that. The stand that has been taken in the past that these FREE services are part of what makes Dearborn a community that people would chose to live in. Just like the parks, the pools and the other things beloved by folks in Dearborn.