speak up for libraries

HEY

Do you like to read?

LIBRARY

Do you ever spend time here?

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…

“Libraries are outdated.”

“Nobody reads print anymore-or they won’t in

the future.”

“Librarians & Google have the same job.”

“Nobody goes to the library.”

(sigh)

None of these things are even remotely true.

LIBRARIES

provide free access to books, journals periodicals, the Internet and professional research help.

But libraries aren’t free.

Salaries, computers, Internet services, tech support, subscriptions, books and building maintenance all cost money.

And we need a lot. Because you use the library a lot.

In 2010, public libraries served297.6 MILLIONAmericans.

That’s equivalent to 96.4% of the total U.S population.

91%of libraries offer free wifi

76%

offer e-books

90%

offer technology help to patrons

62%

report that they are the only provider of free computer and internet access in their communities.

The problem isn’t a lack of foresight.It’s a lack of money.

57% of libraries reported flat or decreased budgets in 2011.

50% don’t have enough staff to meet patrons’ job-seeking

needs.

And 65% of libraries say they don’t have enough public

computers to meet demand.

In cities, that number rises to 87%.

2.46 BILLION

That’s how many library materials were circulated in

2010 alone.

That’s billion with a B.

3.75 MILLION

That’s how many programs, classes, meetings and events were held at public libraries in

2010.

It averages out to one free program every day in every

library in America.

We enjoyed having you. Come back

anytime.

Here’s some more good news.

There are more libraries in America than Starbucks cafes, Wal-Mart stores or McDonald’s

restaurants, and library usage is increasing.

But…

For the third year in a row, 40% of state libraries report

decreased state funding for public libraries.

All libraries benefit from state aid, but small and rural

libraries will close without it.

Did we do something wrong?

Right now, librarians are fighting for your rights to

privacy, free speech and access to information.

So that everyone has the opportunity to enrich their lives through reading and writing.

Libraries help patrons of all ages, and from all walks of life

learn to read, enrich their minds, find information and

empower themselves.

Which saves taxpayers money.

Libraries are also vital to scientific and medical research.

College and university libraries give doctors, scientists and

academics access to the journals and databases they

need to keep up with developments in their fields.

Most of them are also partially state funded.

Pretty cool, right?

Yes. It’s very cool.

But because of attitudes like this:

“Librarians & Google have the same job.”

Libraries are being asked to do more with less every

year.(sad face)

State and local governments are asking us to take on more responsibilities, like helping people access online education,

healthcare and government services.

At the same time, they’re cutting our technology, training, staff and operating budgets every year.

The cuts need to stop.

It’s time to invest in our public, academic and school libraries so that we can meet

challenges now and in the future.

I suppose you could say this moment is overdue.

(groan)

YOU CAN HELPIn fact, we can’t do it without you.

Write to your legislators in state government.

Tell them to make state funding for public libraries a priority this year and every

year.

Support (and vote for) library referendums and initiatives

in your community.

Say “no” to budget cuts.

Tell your mayor, city council and county commission how

much you use and value your library.

And the next time you hear someone say

“Libraries are outdated.”

say

HEYThat’s not

true.

Libraries matter.

And if we don’t stick up for them now, then people really

will stop using them.

Because they won’t be there.

THANK YOU

From a librarian who <3’s patrons

For the source of the statistics used in this presentationand other ways libraries are pretty cool, see:

http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet06