Readings Journal 4/17

Indiana Tax Cuts Hurt PLs by Lynn Blumenstein

This article discusses the lower property taxes in Indiana, which have caused budget cuts at Indiana public libraries.

This article reinforces the discussions we had earlier this semester about budget cuts.  I was surprised to learn that 80 percent of public library budgets in Indiana are made up of property taxes.  With that type of dependence on property taxes it is no wonder libraries are facing a budget crisis.  Although I understand why property taxes were lowered, I think that before lowering the taxes, public libraries should have been given a new way to get the money they lost.  By hurting libraries, patrons are also being hurt.  The article states that the St. Joseph County Public Library, South Bend closed on Sunday’s during the summer.  This is also seen in the Pub Lib Listserv, the Wells County Public Library is reducing their Saturday hours during the summer.  Reducing hours during the summer hurts all patrons, especially kids who don’t have school in the summer and depend on the library for education and entertainment during the summer months.

The Case for Consolidation by Saul Amdursky

This article discusses the need for libraries to consolidate to achieve greater independence and to save money.

I had a difficult time understanding this article.  The author made it sound as if local control is a horrible thing, but how does consolidating libraries gets rid of local control?  All libraries are dependent on their local population, and as such, are subject to local control to some extent.  The author also stated, “patrons who use different libraries are often confused by the libraries conflicting policies.”  This doesn’t make sense because branches of libraries should all have the same policies.  If it is a different library system with different policies, the patron probably can’t use the library, as patrons are usually only able to use the library system in their county or district.   I was also a little confused by the consolidation concept because it seems like small communities wouldn’t be represented.  Small communities often have different needs than larger communities, so is consolidating the small and large libraries really a good idea?  Will the needs of the small communities still be met?

The Economic Impact of Libraries in Indiana by Indiana Business Research Center

This study measures and discusses the economic benefits of Indiana’s Public Libraries.

It’s always nice to see the numbers behind what public libraries actually do.  Although we always feel as if we’re making a difference and helping people, the numbers in this study prove that we are.  By placing values and dollar amounts on the services libraries provide, it was easy to see the value of libraries to the community and the economy.  I did wonder how they chose values to represent the services; did they just pick random amounts?  I also noticed that many of the suggestions included outreach to the business community.  This ties in to many discussions we have had in class about outreach.  Libraries need to reach out to all sorts of different people and organizations, and businesses should not be excluded.