Washington State Librarian Jan Walsh provides the scoop about some recent changes to the State Library — and how that impacts you.

A: As the State Library has the largest percentage of state general funds within the Office of the Secretary of State, the library had the largest percentage of cut. Find-It Washington, a search engine used by many Washingtonians and by a number of state agencies, will no longer be powered by the Google search engine but by a less expensive system.  The massive cut to the book budget will have repercussions on the value of the historical collection in the future.  Positions that were frozen will not be filled, so support for the federal publications depository and the institution branches has decreased significantly. 

Q: I hear there’s a resource called “Hard Times” for libraries online — what can I find here?

A: We have developed a “Hard Times” page on WebJunction Washington, where library staff are encouraged to submit documents and resources that they find useful, and to discuss the issues that libraries are dealing with in these tough economic conditions. (The Hard Times page can be found here)

Q: What sorts of resources does the State Library have available for people looking for jobs, and do you need a library card to access them?

A: The State Library has newspapers with want ads from across the state, as well as internet access.  A library card is not necessary to use the library.

Q: Because so many of the libraries resources are available via the internet, how does this impact the number of users that are actually coming into the library?

A: Many Washingtonians do not have computers, so they use the libraries’ computers to construct resumes, hunt for jobs, and apply for jobs online.   They also use those computers to access the online resources which libraries provide, as well as job information in books, newspapers and documents.  Libraries provide budget-friendly entertainment, including books, movies, audio books, programs and events. The increase in physical use of libraries during these hard times is dramatic. Some libraries report throngs of people at the door when they open, and a stream of folks that just doesn’t let up. 

Q: A recent survey showed more people are using libraries during the recession. If that is true, why are cuts being made now?

A: All public services are being cut during these times, and libraries are no exception. A time of increased use of libraries is, of course, the worst time for cuts! Many people would like increased hours at the library at the time when hours must be reduced, and libraries may not be able to afford some of the resources that would be extremely helpful to the people that use the library.

For more information about the State Library, visit http://www.secstate.wa.gov/library/ or sign up for the Library blogs!