The Changing Role of Public Libraries
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-06-28/changing-role-public-libraries
The Bates Hall reading room at the Central Library of Boston Public Library.
Flickr user pobrecito33
Americans are turning to public libraries in record numbers for free access to resources, but many states have cut their funding. The challenges and changing roles for U.S. libraries.
Guests
Sari Feldman
executive director, Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library; president, Public Library Association.
John Hill
president of the D.C. Public Libraries Board of Trustees; CEO of the Federal City Council.
Camila Alire
president, American Library Association.
Comments
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Public Libraries support democracy by providing materials on all topics from
different points of view., offering a public meeting room for forums,
and now serving as employment centers by providing computer
usage, job search materials, and programs on resume writing and interviewing.
Why can't politicians see the value that libraries provide? They help create
community stability, give valuable information to citizens, and serve as
an educational resource.
What short sighted politician would vote to cut libraries? What citizen would
vote for such a politician?
Barbara O'Hara
Associate Director, New Albany Floyd County Public Library
My wife just graduated with a Master's Degree in Information and Library Science. We live in San Francisco, supposedly one of the most educated and literate cities in the country. So why is that there are very few job openings in the region!? And the positions she does find, they all seem to be entry level jobs; not what she nor I expected to be available after all the hard work she put into getting her degree. She has previous library assistant job also, so she's hardly just "book smart." Love your show, and congratulations on the Peabody! Much deserved...
Thanks,
Jesse in San Francisco
Locally, the Bethesda library is trying to narrow the budget gap by reinstating paid parking in their lot, though I believe it's only going to result in an extra $100k per year or so. Apparently they did this years ago, got rid of it, but have now seen fit to bring it back. This infuriates me as it seems contrary to the principle of a public library. The library should be made as accessible as possible to everyone, not just to those who can pay for parking. While 75c/hr may not seem like much, especially for Bethesda, it's just plain wrong and I may not be as inclined to stay as long as I might otherwise.
I had the same problem ten years ago when I got my Master's degree in Library and Information Science. Back then I was told that the baby boomer generation would retire in large numbers resulting in lots of job opportunities. A decade later, we are still waiting for this glut of jobs. The librarians do not seem to be retiring or, they are retiring and not being replaced. I have since moved on to a different field.
In Montgomery County, we face a 24% reduction in the Library budget. Hours are cut drastically, the collection is decimated. Please make sure to point this out, compared with DC!
Linda
Economic downturn has a trickle-down effect on public dollars which affect budget for public services like libraries. What is frustrating to library professionals on the front lines is that cost-cutting measures like shortened hours or outright closings, severe staff reductions and the like do not take into account that public demand has not been reduced accordingly. The public is turning to libraries as if, for the first time, they are discovering for themselves a FREE public service staffed by capable professionals who offer an amazing array of experiences to visitors of all ages. Above all, we must not forget serving youth and must support the library professional who serves that sector. Before a child is literate or dexterous enough to sit at a computer or read an electronic book by themselves, they need the introduction to basic literacy provided by books and the kinds of experiences that a youth services librarian brings to the public. Now there is a new wrinkle: dollars for education are resulting in massive layoffs – and one of the first to go in the school is the media specialist. Will this have an impact on public libraries with their own shrinking staffs – especially when across the board reductions decimate the usually smaller number of youth services professional staff? Where will school aged children learn about research, resources, strategies for finding information? What happened to all those studies that supported the idea that learning outcomes for students, performance on standardized tests etc. had a correlation with a strong media program and a strong relationship with their partner in education the public library ? Once the school day ends and the door is closed, who picks up being that educational partner? The public library. Legislators need to understand more than standing behind the “no child left behind” banner and really understand what that means.
Training public librarians in Massachusetts is hampered by a too expensive tuition with too limited financial assistance. Attempts to foster the training of public librarians at Universitity of Massachusetts has been in the past sabotaged by leadership of that expensive program at Simmons College.
I thought the question about volunteers was pertinent; however the first woman to answer sounded defensive, saying that library workers are skilled, and mentioning briefly the union. However, working in health care, I have seen many tasks taken over by volunteers, freeing up more skilled workers. PLUS, in our retirees, we have lots of very well educated, capable people, who are TRAINABLE. Maybe she thinks of volunteers as less smart than herself? This is a huge resource wating to be tapped. In Malysia, a dr trained one of the field laborers to do malaria diagnosis using a microscope. One problem of task-shifting is the encumbent cadre allowing less skilled persons or different cadres in to "their" turf. Why can't volunteers be trained in helping people find jobs, as they were saying that is a new important service? And many other tasks!
Cuyahoga - a never-ending discussion. Language is always evolving.
Discussed on npr last summer:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105828999
I'll stick with the hog pronunciation.
Thank you for your excellent programs.
Our reference desk department at our city public library has been failing to provide the optimal reference desk services. Once they think they're familiar with you their performance is no longer as energized! We need more librarians who're better at the arts of customers services and arts of marketing.
Thank you to all the librarians who moved this prestige institution into the 21st century. Our local library reaches out to ALL members in our community by providing internet access, audio books, videos, magazines and other media. We have books on CD for the whole family to listen in the car, LARGE PRINT books for those who are ageing, downloadable films, books, and podcasts as well as access to research materials from the web. We are especially fortunate that we have specific programs that match our demographics. For example, book clubs for all age levels, new publishing parties, reading for tots in English and Spanish, family movie night and summer programs for youth. Think what it would be like to have the same amount of money spent on books/media as they did on our street signs!
as so often, while listening to the thought provoking and inspiring shows on NPR, i cannot help but wonder why it is always we (the citizens, the consumers, the listeners) against them (the legislators, the manufacturers/suppliers).
on the most basic level stands the fact that anybody who is serving in any legislation anywhere in this country knows of the function and value of a library because everybody has to go to school and thus has to be exposed to libraries, learn about them and use them. while the needs for library use may change, adults who serve in legislation are nonetheless citizens of this country and as such, in my opinion, need to be betterp informed about public issues and the needs of citizens that are not only "ours" but also "theirs".
Our cities' public libraries need to become Teaching Libraries in the same manner as we have Teaching Hospitals. On site training programs for credit need to be offered.
Read The Real Sheet newsletter of the BPLPSA. Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association puts out a newsletter with an interesting take on city public library service
http://www.worldcat.org/title/real-sheet/oclc/41228381
Hi Diane,
To preface: I am a recent MLIS grad ('09). I do not work in public libraries, I chose to go into the private sector, working in technology.
Your guests today talked a lot about advocacy. It's true, patrons have a duty to advocate on behalf of their library. However, the profession needs to learn how to advocate on behalf of itself. We've got to sell ourselves! We can't depend upon others to do it.
I got a "victim" vibe from today's show. Public libraries are a victim of budget cuts. Public libraries offer all of these great services that people don't know about. Public libraries need all of their patrons to speak up for them because local government won't listen to them.
In my opinion, librarians' biggest problem is that they are not agile. The information landscape has changed drastically in the last 15 years. Unfortunately, reference librarians are still using the same methods they developed over 30 years ago. Today's patrons are much savvier (informationally-speaking) than they were.
My suggestion-- Get rid of today's library associations. They aren't doing their job. Many librarians settle into the profession and never brush up on their skills. Instead, the profession needs continuing education. Renew your MLIS. Think about healthcare, education and law. They must stay up-to-date, as should we.
Best,
Katie
@thezak
YES! I have visited a reference desk one too many times and had a reference librarian Google something for me. I know how to use Google!
We are becoming a nation that is fast losing those resources that are so important to the survival of a functioning democracy. The lack of money to pay for such important institutions does not bode well us. I would hope that we will see the economy turn around soon. Our very survival as a nation that the world can look upon and desire to emulate is fast disappearing.
It is essential that the services provided by public libraries are free in a democracy. If businesses want to charge for similar services they should be sure to offer some sort of value-added factors. Otherwise, I have no sympathy for the fact that these businesses have to compete with public libraries.
Guy
I agree with the comment regarding professional library associations. Many have dropped the ball the past twenty years and have adopted a "deficit mentality" -- where they "map out" cuts and downsizing rather than emphasizing the amazing upsides and innovations in school, public, academic, and special libraries. They preach to the choir about the value of libraries and often come off as whiny and exclusive when they take their case public. It might be time to look at overhauling the entire profession, especially graduate programs and consider commingling the MLS curriculum with MBA, MPA, and M.Ed programs -- or whatever works. Change is imminent and necessary if we want our libraries to continue into the next decade -- let alone the rest of the 21st Century and beyond.
Libraries are so much more than buildings. They house ideas that encourage hope and believe. My sister and I spent many of our childhood days in a historic library. We learned about who we are. My sister read Little Women while I made copies and watched movies. We were safe, growing, and learning. We even held our Sunshine Girl Meetings there. Libraries support leaders. Please support libraries. They are a much needed vessel.