Washington Libraries Appreciated in Hard Times
Our sister blog (parent blog?) over at the Washington Office of the Secretary of State (we just call them OSOS) had an interesting write-up last week on the increasing use of libraries and, in turn, the unfortunate failure of the local levy lid lift attempted by Timberland Regional Library.
In their story they mention (but strangely don’t link to) a recent study put out by us at the State Library that demonstrates just how much more Washington libraries get used during tough economic times. Of course, if you pay any attention to library stories in the news, or if you’ve looked at your circulation and computer use stats recently, you already knew this.
Even so, the study itself is worth a look, and a great tool to impress your local budgetary decision-makers when it comes time to impress upon them the value of your library to its community.
Since the study came out, many Washington newspapers have picked it up and run stories about the greatness of libraries. Again, something we already knew, but it’s nice to be noticed. If only they’d show such interest all the time, and not just when the going gets tough. If you’re interested, some such local stories include “Libraries’ popularity rises as economy sinks” from Everett’s HeraldNet and “In tight times, libraries renew” from the Tacoma News-Tribune.
If your local paper has been singing the praise of the library, please do share it with us. We always love hearing how much libraries are being appreciated. If your local news source has not picked up on this story, maybe it’s up to you to share it with them?
14 thoughts on “Washington Libraries Appreciated in Hard Times”
Hot off the press, here’s the story from Spokane’s Spokesman-Review: “Our View: Libraries a vital resource, especially in tough times”
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/feb/10/our-view-libraries-a-vital-resource-especially-in/
The news release contains the link. The study is located at http://www.secstate.wa.gov/_assets/library/usage.pdf
Books Editor Mary Ann Gwinn wrote an excellent article in the Seattle Times January 16: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008630228_libraries15.html
Great story, Marsha. Thanks for sharing!
An article discussing the effect of the economy on North Central Regional Library circulation was published in the Leavenworth Echo on November 5, 2008: http://leavenworthecho.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=1529&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1
and Cashmere Valley Record on NOvember 5, 2008: http://www.cashmerevalleyrecord.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=1279&SectionID=5&SubSectionID=5&S=1
Thanks Howard! I like this section, and I sure hope you’re right!
“Howard said there might be a psychological reason for libraries’ popularity in 2008. As the stock market and people’s retirement funds are oscillating between almost gone and totally gone, there’s very little danger that libraries might suffer a similar fate.”
Nice article on the Burlington Public Library’s 46% increase in circulation over the prior year, as well as data from Mount Vernon, LaConner, Anacortes, and the Upper Skagit libraries, in the Skatit Valley Herald: http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/library_use_growing/
Also, an editorial on the reciprocal borrowing agreement between BPL and the Mount Vernon City Library that mentions the economy: http://www.goskagit.com/home/article/turn_page_in_skagits_library_story/
Thanks Maggie! Nice to see cooperation noted, as well as growth. 🙂
Good story from the Kitsap Regional Libraries, and particularly nice to see people leaving such nice comments about libraries below the story.
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/feb/19/in-hard-times-more-people-checking-out-kitsaps/
Another nice story in the Wenatchee World: “Hard Times Means Libraries are Bustling.”
http://wenatcheeworld.com/article/20090304/NEWS04/703049976&NoCache=1
Meetings to cover library cuts
Timberland budget shortfall expected to be $2.5 million next year, district says. http://www.theolympian.com/southsound/story/780341.html
Not completely good news, but does show that TRL’s usage is up. Includes references to WSL’s report and survey.
The Vancouver Columbian just ran a terrific article on the increase in use of public libraries in that area. A sidebar summarizes the state library survey on increased public library use. Sue Vanlaanen, Ft. Vancouver Regional Library District Communications Director, called the article to our attention: http://columbian.com/article/20090307/NEWS02/703079960/-1/ARCHIVES
A March 13, 2009 letter to the editor in the Ellensburg Daily Record (online version) supports full funding for the Ellensburg Public Library: As a person who grew up in this community, who is currently raising children here, and who plans to retire and grow old here, I’d like to implore our commissioners to fully fund our library, not only despite our current bad economy, but because of it. The library is the heart of our community, and especially in terrible economic times, it is a precious resource both for information and entertainment…Cutting the library’s hours, or reducing its services and programs would be a tragedy for this community right now. I realize with crystal clarity that funds are way down, but cutting funding in this area would, I feel, be a disservice to our community, damaging our resources of connection and self-sufficiency at the time when we need them the most. Link to electronic article
The Bellingham Herald reports use of the Bellingham Public Library increase about 10 percent from 2007 to 2008 while the Whatcom County Library System, which saw a 9.6 percent jump. “The data supported exactly what they were seeing,” said Jan Walsh, librarian for Washington state. “These are extraordinary times. Libraries are used more in tough times.” People are flocking to the library and finding things that they either have forgotten about, or never known about,” said Joan Airoldi, director of the Whatcom County Library System.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/839537.html
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