It seems there is a bright spot for the Sioux Falls area, despite the economic crisis. Despite previous reports from the Argus Leader, the local Sioux Falls newspaper, the 2012 budget for Siouxland Libraries looks great:
Sioux Falls is facing some major budget cuts around the board because of the economy. But the public library system is valued because of the positive effect it has. Especially when considering the economy. Siouxland Libraries' numbers continue to grow with harder times. Patrons need what libraries offer. Demands will continue to grow for free internet access, free entertainment, job skills seminars, etc. It is good to see that the Sioux Falls area recognizes this and continues to support it!
I know that in my own small community the downturn of the economy really helped renew local interest in our library. I think a major benefit the library provides for patrons is career development--our library offered not only seminars on how to job search online but resume-building and interviewing tips as well. Things such as these are important factors in getting the unemployed back to work, and at the same time helping the economy recover.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I think many patrons who in better economic times were used to getting books at Barnes and Noble were reaquainted with the "Hey! I can read this book for free!" model of libraries. When they could no longer afford to buy novels on a whim, I believe many patrons turned to libraries as alternative sources of intellectual fulfillment.
I'm so pleased to read the article link and learn that yes, there are communities out there that do see the good of libraries, and consequently take pains to make sure they receive adequate funding.
I read an interesting article about how the Chicago Public Library and other major libraries thrived during the great depression. We all know that the great depression was a very economic distressful time. Many today are going through some of the same trials that individuals faced during the great depression. I found it interesting that the article shows that plenty of the major public libraries thrived during this devastating time. The terrible economy created a demand--a boom--for public libraries. Economic hardships don’t deter people from going to the library, but motivates them. Libraries thrive the most during times of job and home loss. The article brings out that some people come to the library just to seek warmth and shelter. So, library attendance obviously increased. But, besides using the library as a safe haven, the article brought how the library staff flourished during economic hardship:
ReplyDelete“[The library staff] assisted library patrons in pursuing a variety of educational interests as well as providing materials to pass exams for university credit, offering reading courses to improve work skills, and helping those without jobs build skills for future employment. There were also courses of reading for cultural and personal enrichment. Popular topics included interior decoration, twentieth-century novels, advertising, gardening, psychology, and the English language.'”
Individuals tend to make consistent use of the library during stable economic times. History shows that people turn to the public library even more during a harsh economic climate. Maybe special librarians will suffer during an economic down turn because their patron base is professionals who can easily be laid off. However, academic and public librarians are likely to flourish during hard times when individuals deem it very important to get educated and get working.
Novotny, Eric. “Bricks Without Straw”:Economic Hardship and Innovation in the Chicago Public Library during the Great Depression. Libraries and the Cultural Record. Vol 46, No. 3, p.258-275