WHAT IS A PUBLIC LIBRARY?
As defined by the Institute of Museum and Library Science, a public library is established under state enabling laws or regulations to serve a community, district, or region, and provides at least the following: an organized collection of printed or other library materials, or a combination thereof; paid staff; an established schedule in which services of the staff are available to the public; the facilities necessary to support such a collection, staff, and schedule, and is supported in whole or in part with public funds.
This is a very sterile summation of a living, breathing, ever changing, positive contributor to many communities. I prefer the definition author Will Manley uses, “I love the word “library”. It’s a noble word that carries a weighty and serious connotation. It stands for knowledge, learning, and scholarship.” (Manley, 2009).
According to the State of America’s Libraries report date April 2009, the nation’s public agrees. A Harris Poll found 92% of survey respondents viewed their local public library as an important educational resource, 72% felt the library was a pillar of the community and with an average of 70%, respondents felt their library was a community center, a family destination and a cultural center.
STRUCTURE, CERTIFICATION & STANDARDS IN MICHIGAN
STRUCTURE: Most public libraries in Michigan are designated as a city, village, township, district or county library. All of these are funded in whole or part with public funds. Typically a city, village or township library will be a line item on the local government’s annual budget, whereas district and county libraries are taxing authorities and have the ability to levy a millage. By levying a millage, the library’s funding is far more stable than being on the receiving end of local government budget cuts.
In Michigan, public libraries are classified by size of service area. The larger the population the larger the class size. For example, a service area of 0-3,999 residents would be a Class I library like Mackinaw Island Public Library. Capital Area District Library (Lansing) would be considered a Class VI due to residents totaling 50,000 or more.
CERTIFICATION: Public library employees are certified based on their education. According to the Michigan Public Library Certification Handbook, “certification requirements are generally intended to assure that practitioners meet minimum levels of professional education. These requirements help insure that public libraries in Michigan are administered and staffed by trained personnel. The Class size of the library will dictate what minimum educational requirements certified staff must possess to qualify for State Aid funding.
The current certification standards were set by PA 89 of 1977 and will expire on September 30, 2009. Beginning October 1, 2009, there will be four levels of certification as opposed to seven which were originally mandated. One of the biggest changes is the lack of requiring continuing education for those with a Level 4 certification, or those with the least amount of formal education. I for one think this is a step backward. With all of the available technology today, employees would certainly be able to take an online class, view PowerPoint presentations, attend web conferences, and utilize www.webjunction.org where staff can take many free online courses. Continuing education is one area where not only does the employee benefit, but the library as well.
STANDARDS: In 2001, the Quality Standards and Advisory Committee (QSAC) comprised of the State Librarian and 22 librarians and trustees from around the state, was formed. Many in the library community felt if standards were in place, statewide goals like a shared vision for library service, could be accomplished. These goals would also help provide reasoning and ammunition for increased funding, help to improve service throughout the state, and would give libraries credibility. These standards then correspond to Essential, Enhanced, and Excellent levels of service. Originally these levels were to be tied to State Aid funding, but this has not come to fruition and QSAC is voluntary program at this point in time.
THE MAJOR ISSUE FACING PUBLIC LIBARIES
There are many issues facing public libraries, but that in itself would be an entire blog. I have focused on the most important issue I feel is affecting public libraries today.
FUNDING: As with all types of libraries, funding is probably the number one issue on everyone’s list. However, with the state of the nation’s economy, it is even worse. The majority of public library funding comes from appropriations from local governments and property tax millages, penal fines, state aid, gifts and donations and costs of services.
Penal fines are one of the most unstable sources of funding a public library. Any civil infraction and criminal offence imposed by the county court has fines and costs associated with it and these are considered penal fines. My library, located in Tuscola County, Michigan has seen a 45% decrease in penal fines over the past 5 years. So, the next time you are stopped for speeding, you may not want to challenge the officer because you are helping to support your local library!
State Aid funding is mandated by PA 89 of 1977 which states public libraries shall receive $1.00 per capita if certain criteria are met. Unfortunately, the annual appropriations for next year are projected to be $.25 per capita total. Nationwide, 41% of public libraries are experiencing declining state funding and additional reductions are expected next year. (American Libraries, April, 2009).
Gifts and donations can vary from year to year. Some patrons always think of their library every holiday season because there are tax benefits associated with donations. Others remember the library when loved ones pass away and memorials are given, but these are not a consistent revenue stream.
Cost of services include payment for sending/receiving a fax, making copies, rental materials, and of course overdue fees. Over the past year, my library has seen a 10% increase in this revenue source. More patrons are using the library as their home office and this translates into more copies and faxes the staff handles.
FUTURE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Some, especially non-library users, feel the library is obsolete. These folks have a narrow view of what the public library is today. They think it is just about books, they don’t realize the technology, programming, job search and community efforts that most libraries provide as part of core services.
This is where advocacy comes in. Past ALA President, Jim Rettig states “the similarities of all types of libraries are greater than the differences.” (Rettig, 2009). We need to support all types of libraries because at the core, we are all here to help our patrons.
A large part of the public libraries’ future rests with keeping current with technology advances and staff’s willingness to be all things to all people. “Public libraries have been America’s first responder’s to the economic crisis. They have provided resume writing workshops, expanded access to the Internet for job-seekers, and met urgent new community needs in creative ways.” (Rettig, 2009). Most patrons support their library because they see the importance and value of this facility in their neighborhood. To quote Manley again, “It, (the library) has soul. It is timeless”. (Manley, 2009).
REFERENCES
American Library Association. (2009, April). The state of America’s libraries report. Retrieved June 12, 2009, from www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/presskits/2009stateofamericaslibraries/State%20draft_04.10.09.pdf.
Manley, W. (2009, May). Balancing the books. American Libraries, 40, 64.
Michigan Register No. 6-2009. State aid rules. Retrieved June 12, 2009, from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal/lm_2009NewStateAidRulesApril2009_281552_7.pdf.
Quality Services Audit Checklist. Retrieved June 12, 2009 from http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal/lm_QSAC_introduction_202989_7.pdf.
Rettig, J. (2009, June/July). Once in a lifetime. American Libraries, 40,8.
Survey reveals a decline in public library state funding. (2009, April). American Libraries, 40,10.
8 comments:
I had no idea libraries were classed by size!
It's quite a sad state of affairs in the world of public libraries. Everyday I go to work, I wonder if today will be the day I'll be let go due to budget cuts. In Hazel Park we're expecting 60% budget cut in the next two years. I just don't know how our director is going to balance the budget. We're already down to minimal staff hours. It looks as though I'll be getting some experience in campaigning for a new libary millage.
I had no idea of some of the funding (like penal codes fines) that public libraries received (or in many cases don't receive). I know that I have many colleagues who are public library employees and have been hit hard with the recent economic times.
Thanks for explaining some of the complicated funding issues for public libraries.
I found it interesting that the amount of education required to work at a public library is determined by how big the library is. This is very different from education where it doesn't matter how big your school is; teachers must further their education (and in many cases pay for it!)
I do know that when I worked at the public library in the (VERY small) town I grew up in (in 1997), the director was the only employee that had a college education. Not just a degree in Library Science, but an actual 4 year degree.
It seems that it would be beneficial to libraries of all sizes that there were basic education requirements (even if these were classified as continuing education courses) for all public library employees.
Thanks Kate for you overview of the public library. When I worked for the Irving Public Library I got to know a lot about public librarians and gained a lot of respect for what they pull off each day without much funding, but with a great deal of heart and ingenuity. They are truly servant-leaders of their communities and well worth supporting much more than they already are.
As for continued education, I do wonder how much of that can be done by some of the librarians I've met they already do so much, how can we expect them to keep up with classes as well. Perhaps that is why they are taking away the requirement. They realize librarians are already swamped with work. Instead of requiring a particular number of classes each year or so, what if they encouraged librarians to go to seminars, workshops, and other activities. Then, they would still be continuing to learn about their profession, but in a way that doesn't add more stress to their lives.
Reading the blog about major issues with funding, I came across a study funded by Bill & Melinda Foundation “From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America" from OCLC site which is worth reading. The study found that about 80% of public library funding is from local taxes and 10% is from state and federal taxes. With the increase in the number of people in the multi-millionaire category endowments may be worth exploring.
Nice blog, Kate on public libraries. As I am still toying with this as a concentration, I read your blog with much interest. The economic downturn has surely hurt the public library, (along with other kinds of libraries), but even in really good times, aren't library budgets, public in particular, pretty tight? I was also surprised that how well trained the staff is (educational, at least) depends on the size of the public library. Very interesting facts about public libraries.
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