July 14th, 2010

What is more important in a library than anything else - than everything else - is the fact that it exists. ~Archibald MacLeish, "The Premise of Meaning,"American Scholar, 5 June 1972

It's State Budget time in Pennsylvania and once again public libraries are looking at cuts. Since 2008-2009 budget year Pennsylvania libraries have seen a drop of nearly $22,000,000 in funding from the state level. $22,000,000. Let that soak in. Even in light of such dynamic funding reductions most libraries around Clarion County and surrounding areas have been able to keep their heads above water. Free internet, free wi-fi, free children's programs, free meeting spaces, free adult programs, free assistance with genealogy questions, free help with online resources for jobs and other sources of financial aid, and a free place to get out of the heat or the cold depending on the season.

I know I'm not the only one tired of hearing about the financial woes public libraries face, not just in this state but around the country. Trust me it gets old, perpetually groveling and begging struggling local businesses, financially strapped individuals and library supporters, and constantly hounding legislators of our rising usage rates despite their lack of funding. With the type of atmosphere, services, and resources available, public libraries in America should not have to unceasingly plead their case for why they are needed and why they should exist.

Unfortunately we do, and unless we can get the unwaivering support of regular citizens to help us fight and make our voice heard this battle may well end in the worst way.

I'd like to take a moment to share some statistics and interesting figures with you that I came across recently. They help paint a mental picture of the place libraries hold in our society, a picture that is often forgotten or obscured.

Every day 300,000 Americans get job-seeking help at their public library. Source: OCLC, 2010, primary research; ALA, 2010, "A Perfect Storm Brewing."
Most public libraries provide free wireless Internet access for their users. Nearly 12,000 now offer free Wi-Fi. that's more than Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, or Borders. Sources: ALA, 2009, "Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, 2008-2009"; Starbucks corporate communications, www.borders.com; www.barnesandnobleinc.com.
2.8 million times every month business owners and employees use resoruces at public libraries to support their small businesses. Source: OCLC, 2010, primary research.
Library cards are about as prevalent as credit cards. Two-thirds of Americans have a library card. For many young people, the first card in their wallet is a library card. Sources: ALA, "The State of America's Libraries, 2009"; U.S. Census Bureau, population estimates for those aged 20 and over; Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2010.
More libraries-5,400-offer technology training classes than there are computer training businesses in the U.S. Every day, 14,700 people attend free library computer classes - a retail value of $2.2 million. That's $629 million worth of computer classes annually (based on 286 business days per year). Sources: ALA, 2009, "Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, 2008-2009"; ReferenceUSA Business and Residential Directory; OCLC, 2010, primary research; www.geeksquad.com.
These individuals who comprise these statistics aren't no-name faceless strangers in far off places. They are your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers and relatives. I would be absolutely astounded if anyone reading this knows one person that has never stepped foot inside a public library of some sort. Some of my favorite memories as a child are of my mom pulling me in my red Radio Flyer wagon down East Main St. of Youngsville, PA to go to the public library when it was on West Main St. Think back to when you were a child. Do you have any favorite memories of your local library? Will your children have the opportunity to experience one? Your grandchildren, or your great grandchildren?

A library is more than just a building that stores books and provides computers to access Facebook. A library is a community hub. Libraries are usually located in a central position of cities and towns. There's a reason for this. It is a place where everyone is welcome. It is a treasure-trove with something for anyone and everyone.

"Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest. "
- Lady Bird Johnson

"There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration."
- Andrew Carnegie