A Library Funds its own Renovation: A New Trend or a Future Necessity?

In today’s economy, one library is ready to step towards the future. While at MacDonald Public Library, in New Baltimore, MI, I was surprised to be encountered with construction plans. Finally some exciting news, considering that nothing about libraries will make the headlines anymore, except for the increase in patrons and the cuts within the budget. My only remaining question was…how?

Earlier that day I was able to interview the assistant director, Annette, to find out that “there has been a big increase in people within the last five years and circulation has almost doubled; the only negative thing is that property levels have dropped.” The big problem about this is that when property levels drop, the tax revenue goes down and that gives libraries less money to work with. This is one major problem that so many libraries are encountering today. So how was it possible that this library was gaining a new porch entrance, an enlarged meeting and children’s room, and updated bathrooms? (The Voice) No, this was not through winning the Michigan Lottery or a big donation; it was through good old dependable savings.

As writer Candice Williams for the Detroit News discovered, the budget of one million dollars came through in due part as advice by the planning commission to the director Margaret Thomas, to save her pennies for the next decade instead of asking the voters for the money. (DetNews**) Without this advice from the future, the library may have had to postpone such plans until the economy improved.

As it is, the deal is still a work in progress. As Lisa Gervais in the local newspaper, The Voice, reports that construction bids are the culprit for the holdup; the original plans are being cut back to work within the budget. (The Voice) This library has put its finance book down and is not willing to budge. Luckily the forward thinking MPL can look ahead to a newly updated and larger space.

Hopefully, other future planning libraries may be able to take this story as an example to start saving pennies and know that within a few years success will be reached.


(Pictured: The current facade of the Library)
**The Detroit News article is no longer available and must either be retrieved through buying the article or searching the Wayne State University Databases (Det News - "Library to Self Fund Fix Up" by Candice Williams on June 13, 2009) Sorry about the extra steps**

Budget cuts affecting local library

Here is some information about how the economy is affecting a local library here in southeast Michigan. It was recently announced that the City of Livonia has proposed to cut $450,000 in funding to its libraries for the city's 2010 budget. This would result in the closing of two of the branches on alternating days and would likely result in layoffs of library employees. The proposed cuts are already being challenged by members of the Livonia Library Commission. They bring up points like the fact that more and more people are using the libraries because of the economic troubles. Therefore, the library should not receive such a big cut. I think this is a valid point. However, cities are being forced to make budget cuts. Why is it that libraries seem to be one of the first things to be affected concerning budget cuts? Is it out of necessity or do city planners value libraries less than other services? How important are libraries to a city or community? I feel that these are the types of questions that more and more cities will have to address during the economic crisis.

As the current economic crisis drags on, librarianship is in a conflicted position. Although the public is benefiting from the services that libraries are offering during hard times, many libraries are facing budget cuts and closings. Luckily, the Free Library of Philadelphia weathered the storm. However, the library still faces the uncertainty that comes with Pennsylvania lacking a state budget. One can see that those who are employed within library systems, as well as new MLIS graduates, may find themselves having to find different avenues down which to pursue employment. The diversity and flexibility of the MLIS degree is inherent in the instruction we receive from the very beginning of our studies. Perhaps the changing face of the profession with the adoption of new technology will pave these roads. Is diversifying our skill set the answer to potential instability in the job market? Or can we harness new technologies in order to make our skill set and profession incredibly relevant?

Library Budget Cut Interview

Hello everyone! I just posted a video in the video bar of an interview I had two days ago with the director of the library I work at (the Chesterfield Township Public Library). Her name is Midge Lusardi and she's been the director at the library for 13 years. I asked her to explain how the budget cuts in libraries around the country are going to ultimately affect the future of both librarians and the professionals who work within them. She gave some great insight about how the economy is reflecting the value of libraries, as well as how anyone can become more involved in the issue. Please check it out and feel free to comment!

The economic downturn continues to affect millions of people in the United States. However, not every business is scrounging to stay afloat. Public libraries are thriving in the new economy, says Joseph Berger of the New York Times. People are coming into libraries to benefit from all of the free services they have to offer. According to the Boston Globe, libraries around the country are posting double digit percentage increases. Why buy a book for $20 when you can get it from your local library for free? Many patrons are not just coming in for books but also DVDs, periodicals, internet services, and reference services offered by their public library. Libraries are creating new programs and instituting new services to help patrons face the economic crisis head on. Information devoted to resume building and job hunting has been integrated into many libraries’ programming. But even with the new patron boom, many libraries are facing budget cuts and are being forced to close their doors due to lack of funding. Will libraries be able to accommodate new demands from their ever-growing community without the funds? How can they make a dollar out of fifteen cents? How will we as a profession come together to keep our services free and available to all patrons? We could be heading down the road of pricey one-on-one reference services, steeper late fees, or more community fundraising. Or maybe the answer is simply to add new features to your everyday library, as Freakonomics suggests.

Welcome!

***Attention*** our official launch date is September 30, 2009…the countdown continues!

Hello world,
This blog is intended to bring to light the impact of the financial crisis on American Libraries, librarians, and patrons.

Discussions will be as diverse as the effects of libraries being forced to reduce work hours and staff, to the results of shrinking budgets congruent with increased library use.

Come join our conversation - we want to know what you think!

The Stimulibrarian blog is brought to you in part by five dedicated MLIS students (your future librarians) at Wayne State University.

"The best reading for the largest numbers, at the least expense." Melvil Dewey