Inspiring libraries are often the ones with big budgets. They have impressive buildings, enormous collections, and large staffs. The Makiki Community Library in Honolulu, Hawaii, has none of these things, but that doesn’t make it any less remarkable. This small donations-based, volunteer-driven organization effectively executes its deep-seated mission of engaging the community. In the 1940s, … Continue reading The Little Library that Could
This just in from Kristin Murphy, government relations specialist for the American Library Association’s Washington Office: “Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on Amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated. This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library … Continue reading IMLS, LSTA Saved – for Now
Officials approved an agreement February 8 to keep the city of Stockton, California, running the Stockton–San Joaquin Public Library, continuing a partnership that dates back to 1910. In voting to maintain the arrangement, the Stockton City Council and the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors rejected a bid by Library Systems and Services (LSSI) to operate … Continue reading LSSI Finds More Resistance to Its Library-Management Bids
The internet, along with Facebook and Twitter, was the Open University that facilitated learning about democracy for Egypt’s young people. The revolution had been brewing for the past 10 years or so, increasing by the day as more people acquired mobile devices. The ground in Egypt was ripe for revolution: Corruption was at its peak, … Continue reading Egyptians Find Their Power in Access to Information
A bill that is coming up for a vote this week in the House of Representatives calls for the elimination of all Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding, including Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding, for the remainder of FY2011. Reaction to the introduction of Amendment 35 to the Continuing Resolution was … Continue reading All IMLS, LSTA Funding in Jeopardy
Becoming a PAF has paid off for Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library. Last April, we made passport processing and photo services available seven days a week at seven branches from opening until one hour before closing. We have since collected more than $100,000 in execution fees. This new revenue stream has enabled us to restore … Continue reading Running a Passport Acceptance Facility at Your Library
“The Detroit Public Library is in the midst of a fiscal crisis that is unprecedented in magnitude and is likely to continue beyond this fiscal year,” DPL Executive Director Jo Anne Mondowney said in a January 18 memo to all employees. The erosion of funding will result in a drastic reduction in personnel and other … Continue reading Detroit Faces Unprecedented Fiscal Crisis; Workforce Reduction Inevitable
The promise of a fresh start is part and parcel of the beginning of a new year, particularly when hardship has darkened your door in the year just past. Although no one in the library community realistically expected their institution’s fiscal standing to magically move from strapped to solvent, a new study conducted by the … Continue reading Spread the Word: There’s New Evidence of Libraries’ ROI
Alexander Street Press held its 20th customer appreciation breakfast January 9 at the San Diego Convention Center during the 2011 ALA Midwinter Meeting. This year the featured speaker was the dynamic Renée Montagne, cohost of National Public Radio's Morning Edition since 2004. As part of her reminiscences about the early days of NPR and its … Continue reading Alexander Street Press: The Morning Edition
A new project that launched today aims to raise enough money to build a library in an otherwise book-free neighborhood in India. The Buy India a Library project, which grew out of a Twitter discussion, is hoping to raise at least 1,250 pounds (U.S. $1,943). That’s enough to pay for furniture, books, and two years … Continue reading Building Libraries Abroad
1. Supply and Demand Several Fox TV affiliates aired a segment June 28 titled: “Are Libraries Necessary, or a Waste of Tax Money?” The answer should have been apparent before the question was even asked: Gate counts and circulation documented that libraries were more in demand than ever, and patrons were not about to surrender … Continue reading The Year in Review 2010
Given the tough economy and the fiscal crisis that has affected libraries of all types, it was no surprise that the American Library Association found itself facing a $2-million revenue shortfall this past year—about 10%. Thanks to a lot of hard work on the part of members, management, and staff, we were able to reduce … Continue reading A Remarkable Ending to a Tough Year
