GDP and Libraries

This video is a recording of Bobby Kennedy giving a speech about GDP from 1968. He goes into detail about all of the misleading things that are taken into account in calculating GDP. He then goes on to share that those things that aren’t taken into account are what actually makes our country so great. He concludes that GDP encompasses many things that make up the U.S. economy but it cannot tell us what it is to be an American. I decided to take this idea and apply it to the realm of the library and how poorly we measure its success in terms of GDP.

GDP does not measure the ability to teach patrons to be life-long learners or cultivate a community spirit. GDP does not include our passion to build a better library that serves the community or the knowledge that can be found in the libraries’ collections. GDP does not gauge the delivery of service or the drive for change in technology. It does not measure our enthusiasm or fervor. It does not measure our understanding or experience. It does not measure our compassion or devotion. GDP can measure so much, but it does not measure the need for the library in our communities or tell us why it is still relevant in today’s society.

Some Good News!

I came across this article on Library Journal and thought I'd share it with everyone since it involves good news. The Madison Public Library in Wisconsin will be receiving $37 million from the city to build a new library. The mayor of Madison, Dave Cieslewicz, supports this. He emphasizes that this is a decision to benefit the community in the long run. I think it is very refreshing to hear that not all politicians and city councils have given up on libraries as unimportant. Hopefully the city of Madison can be an example to other cities to keep funding their libraries. How great would it be to start reading more and more stories about libraries receiving additional funds instead of having their budgets cut or eliminated?

However, we must remain realistic as well. I realize that most cities right now do not have $37 million to give to a library. I just think that city councils should think twice about cutting library budgets. Instead, maybe city councils could attempt to keep library budgets the same or even provide some extra funding if possible. This may be wishful thinking, but the city of Madison gives me hope!

We're all in it together!

As much as the library profession (or any profession for that matter) would prefer to be outside of the realm of a faltering economy, the fact remains that every job is affected by the current economic status. However, IF we all are indeed experiencing the same job and budget cuts, what better way for libraries to experience some solidarity than by grouping together for support? In an interview with Dr. Camila Alire, President-Elect of the American Library Association from 2008-2009, she emphasizes the extreme importance of great communication and strong relationships between all different kinds of libraries around the nation. She says There is no better time, with all the challenges we are facing, to promote the concept of collaboration in libraries. We don’t want competition to be stronger than collaboration.” She emphasizes the need for immediate interaction between all libraries, large or small. She also worries about an increase in competition between different libraries as budgets are strained. However, now is not the time to become an isolated and individualized profession, especially within the job itself. With the bad economy comes a requirement for libraries to work together towards a common goal. After all, every library shares goals concerning the preservation and expansion of knowledge, and influences tend to be stronger when there is more than one institution or group standing behind an ideal. We may all be thinking of how to persevere in our individual careers during this difficult time, but lets not forget about all of our colleagues who can offer support and strong ties when we need them the most!
Interview with Dr. Camila Alire: http://www.collaborativelibrarianship.org/index.php/jocl/article/view/5

Are Celebrities the Answer?

Drew Carey, after winning half a million on the Celebrity Edition of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” donated the money to a cause of his choice – the library! This happened in Ohio nine years ago, and is still being brought up in The Cleveland Leader. This rare happening was paired with his opinion on the Governors new plan to cut the library’s budget in half. His answer to this new ordeal – a fundraising carwash! Still, his playful solution is only a hypothetical answer.

Luckily, after much rallying and teamwork, the resulting budget cut in Ohio was not as drastic as Governor Ted Strickland proposed, with a reduction of “$84.3 million over the next two years, rather than the $227.3 million.” It is believed that the overpowering support of the community is one reason the governor’s cuts were rejected. This goes to show that with enough voices in a community, a library budget can be saved.

One thing I could not help thinking about is the strength of a celebrity’s voice in comparison to a community. A celebrity has the ability to get the attention of more people across the nation, while a community’s voice is usually not heard far beyond city limits. Celebrities have the ability to record public commercials and are used in pro-reading posters. So why not ask celebrities to join in on the community level of fighting to save libraries?

After further research I found a union of celebrities and libraries. In 2006 the U.K. began a campaign to improve libraries; it goes by the name Love Libraries. The campaign consists of “50 celebrity supporters from JK Rowling to the Hairy Bikers,” along with 500 champions, consisting of everyday people. As a Love Library Champion, it is easy to sign up to receive updates and the campaign uses this outlet to ask for consultations from supporters.

Perhaps we can utilize this hybrid idea from across the seas and make a Love Libraries for the United States. Who knows what can happen through the power of many voices.

For Some Free Poster Downloads of Celebrity's Promoting Reading visit: http://www.getcaughtreading.org/celebrityposters.htm

Don't Give Up On Me

Brian Kennedy, editor-in-chief of School Library Journal, discusses the point that even though public and school libraries are going through tough times, there are many great things going on in libraries today. His first point lies in the fact that libraries have received more press in the last six months than they have in decades. The articles range from how libraries are busier than ever to showing the wealth of technology and collections that many libraries offer. He also goes on to argue that it is a great time for libraries due to the fact that many collections are transforming and forming more connections with electronic sources. These digital and print brooks, audio books, and graphic novels are interacting with each other more than ever before and are changing the face of library collections. Librarians have a greater opportunity than ever before to engage and connect with the community. We need to take the economic disadvantages that plague our profession and use them to bring more patrons to the library.

Kenney, B. (2009). Mamma mia: Tough times present unprecedented opportunities. School Library Journal. 55(3), p. 11.