Week 4 Readings

Library Budget Manual

The Library Budget Manual is a useful document outlining the fundamental items library budgets must take into account and the basic political procedures that are followed in order to get them approved. It is surprising that so much of a library’s budget and fiscal planning is actually out of the control of the library itself. It does make sense - public libraries are public institutions and are therefore at the mercy of the public - but I did not realize how much local politics plays into not only approving the library budget, but also what it ultimately includes. 

"Performing Triage on Budgets in the R*E*D”

 

The three articles were primarily concerned with different aspects of this very issue, and how to put power back into the hands of librarians. Hennen’s “Performing Triage” suggested that everything from community outreach to staged protest be implemented to save library budgets. Although public support for libraries would likely drop if librarians took to the streets, Hennen does make some good suggestions. First, he proposes that libraries form districts. By forming a larger entity, budgeting would be easier and local libraries would have more clout (Hennen 38). Second, he urges libraries to draw on resources they already have. Instead of focusing budgets largely on expensive electronic resources and equipment, librarians should promote the concept of free space and resources to the community. They should also encourage library fans to get more involved with the local library in any number of ways (Hennen 37, 39).

"Bottoming Out?" 

Kelley’s “Bottoming Out?” reinforces Hennen’s suggestion that libraries form districts in order to stay afloat in difficult economic times.   Quoting librarian Wendy Phillips, he writes, “The library service district has a strong and diversified tax base...Revenue declines may be projected in the future, but [they are] delayed because we started from a healthier position” (Kelley 29). Not only can libraries gain more political clout by forming larger groups, but they garner money from a wider and more diverse geographical area, evening out funding among individual libraries and slowing financial hardship. However, Kelley raises the example of Illinois libraries and how funding for Illinois’ regional systems is being cut. One would think that because the larger libraries in a regional system uphold the smaller libraries and schools in terms of offering interlibrary loan and other electronic services, funding for the regional systems would be considered important.  

"Vote of Confidence" 

Dempsey’s “Vote of Confidence” argues that in order to gain more funding, libraries need to form relationships within the communities they serve. She makes an excellent point. Library funding is drawn from taxes and other local government funding, and there needs to be physical proof that the library is a vital part of the community. Also, community members and politicians have the ability to influence each other, thereby gaining more funding for the local library. As in any profession or business, it’s all about who you know.