Fighting the Good Fight

Locally, as we witness yet another municipality "yanking the rug out from under" their community's public library by completely eliminating their local government's 2010 appropriation (100% -- without any warning), I am reminded of George Needham's comment to a previous post: "keep fighting the good fight".

The library seems to be an "easy", "soft" target. No one seems to "get it" anymore (or is it just Southwestern Pennsylvania or even perhaps "just Pennsylvania"?). Do local decision makers really belive that "you can find everything on the Internet"? (Yes, that phrase actually came from the mouth of a current board member here at the district center.) Or, another of my favorites: "everyone has a computer/Internet at home" (a very popular myth that reminds me of the quote: "If a thousand men believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.")

In Pennsylvania, state support for libraries ranked 4th in the nation (prior to current cuts for 2009/2010). Local government support; however ranked 46th in the nation! The state aid formula was designed as an incentive to encourage local funding from within a public library's state-designated service area; for every dollar appropriated locally, the state "matched". The goal was a funding "partnership" between the state and local governments, but some local governments never held up their end of the partnership. And, they see state aid cuts (previous and current)as an "excuse" to cut their local appropriations all-together; when in fact the local governments should be "rallying" to maintain quality library services for their constituents.

Libraries everywhere are struggling to keep their doors open and to provide services to their communities. Past usage patterns have shown that during times of national, state & local economic downturns, public library usage statistics go through the roof. That was evident this past year. Summer reading programs were filled to capacity and some libraries saw increases of 100% over previous years. Families are "stay-cationing" and attending programs; cutting their home Internet service and using the library's; getting their dvd's for FREE. More and more, everyone is consolidating and cutting where they can.

And, despite Mayor Luke's repeated allegation; non-profits are NOT "wealthy". Libraries operate on shoe-string budgets with barely enough staff and no "frills". Librarians are experts at begging, borrowing and "stealing" (good ideas)! Most libraries have "rallied"--boards, staff, & Friends--they have invaded endowments and fundraised relentlessly to keep their doors open & their services going.

Public libraries really are the glue that holds a community together. Strong libraries mean strong communities. Public libraries support education and assist the undereducated. Public libraries support families and assist families that are broken. Public libraries support employment/economic development as well as assist the unemployed. As more and more government agengies eliminate forms and declare "fill out your application/renewal or apply online at your public library", the demand for increased Internet access computers AND "how-to" sessions/classes increases--saving that government agency money, yet creating a new, financial demand for the public library. Libraries continue to "do more" with less and less.

So, yes George, we will keep "fighting the good fight"! And, NOW is the time to enlist our users (of all ages) in the fight as well. If you believe in the value a public library brings to your local community tell someone...tell EVERYONE, don't wait until the headline reads "library closing".