Brewer, Unit 4/Week of Jan. 31, 2012

1.       Performing Triage on Budgets in the Red by Hennen Jr.

Thomas addressed business plan and providing what the public demands and feels is a good value, budget and respected.  He shared examples of suggested cuts and public reaction. Hennen suggested cost effective mergers and consolidation plans as I reference below in summary.  I did not support the suggested “impact fees” on newly built homes …feeling this should come from community support system and partnerships…keeping relevant campaigns for tax dollars and donations.

2.       Vote of Confidence by Dempsey

I noticed this article for 2011 suggested improvement…but to be creative, utilize resources, being on target with local officials and campaigns could not be emphasized enough…and I agree.  There were several statistics shared of budgets and results… building worth and respected trust in your management and oversight of funding would provide great results.  Good market research was attributed to the success of a library, while listening to community and take advantage of various media tools to draw in community.

3.       Bottoming Out by Kelley

This 2011 article addressed FY10 results and projections for FY11.  I was surprised 3036 public libraries received surveys..and only 647 responded.  Times are too challenging and the future depends on this collective information much as university experienced in benchmarking and special reports.  Importance of technology was addressed and importance to the public.  Russ emphasized how nothing is sure anymore…you have to accept…put on your boots and move forward meeting the challenges.  Outsourcing is mentioned which we experience at the university …. though this particular example did not turn out well, this resource is growing and improving and consideration for alternative.  The article closed quoting Mullen from Santa Monica basically expressing libraries will evolve…. you can join and enjoy while finding positive and exciting.

This week was very interesting to me.  I relate to much of our reading and my work for the university in financial challenges we faced and addressed the last four years in particular.  We have been heavily involved in benchmarking studies, surveys and reports requested by President McRobbie and the Board of Trustees.  Important changes we had to understand and accept… general funds being handed to us by the state….is most likely never coming back.  Even when the economy does improve….operating the old ways …are gone and  funding will be utilized differently to meet  expectations for community, students, faculty/staff, university officials and state/federal governments.  Some of the changes we addressed:  decreased general funds, transitioning to auxiliary with ability to grow from “red” to “black” and solvent.  Use extreme tools, monitoring , surveying/researching while forming partnerships.  I noticed similar trends while reading…one of our most important lessons… to follow demand, messages of the community and leaders for universities and government.  In correlation we had to realize we could not be “everything to everybody”, finding what our true mission was  for our clients and strategic  goals of community/government.  Like in readings,  we found our  “districts” determining “who” would provide “what” services, combining efforts providing stronger ability and case for funding  we still receive…proving our worth and value.  Many services throughout campuses are being centralized with major adjustments.  Understanding through surveys, research and benchmarking processes  …. told an overall picture.

I read similar trends with libraries as each location may not provide a full service, instead needing to listen, providing what is truly demanded.  As the articles suggested we pay attention to social media and emerging technologies, evolving to provide and meet challenges.