Libraries are Busier Than Ever

We’re asking you to Speak Up for Your Library because libraries are busier than ever and deserve everyone’s support:

Libraries are dynamic information environments that bear little resemblance to what many of us remember as children. Libraries are also busier than ever, contrary to what many people believe.

Total circulation in all Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) libraries was over 5.4 million in 2009, up from about 5.3 million in 2008. That’s an increase of nearly 3 percent, and that’s on top of continual growth over the past 10 years. Statewide, more than 65 million items were circulated by Wisconsin’s public libraries in 2009. Wisconsin ranks 8th per capita in circulation nationally – but just 24th in per capita public library collection expenditures!

In 2009 there were over 2.5 million library visits at all IFLS member libraries, compared to just under 2.4 million in 2008. That’s an increase of nearly 8 percent. Library users made over 35.5 million visits to Wisconsin public libraries in 2009 - more people than attended home games for Brewers, Packers, Bucks and Badger sports games, combined!

Though libraries are busier than ever, continuing an upward trend that began more than 10 years ago, staffing and funding levels are relatively flat. Over the past 5 years, public library visits have increased by more than 10 percent and circulation increased by more than 15 percent, yet staffing has increased less than 1 percent! Libraries have done more with less for years, but given recent trends in circulation and library visits it’s not a scenario that can continue.

Libraries are a great investment in our local communities, but the quality of their future is in doubt. You can make a difference if you become involved and speak up for your library!
To do this week: Write a letter to our U.S. Senators (and candidates) and U.S. Representatives (and candidates) and voice your support for library funding at the national level.

Speak up for Libraries

Across the nation, we’re seeing cuts to library budgets at the city, county and state levels. These cuts are resulting in reductions in staff and hours of operation, and branch and library closures:

But more importantly, these cuts are negatively impacting the ability of residents to access the information and resources they need. Libraries have long been leaders in cooperative operational agreements -- sharing collections and delivery services. Long before it was fashionable to trim budget excess and eliminate duplication of services, libraries were leading the way.

We hope Wisconsin communities don’t experience the kinds of drastic cuts that have been reported nationwide, but sitting and hoping is not a course of action we can risk. To avoid drastic library cuts here in Wisconsin, we need you to speak up for your library in particular, and for libraries in general. Over the next few months, we’ll share information that you can use to voice support for libraries. Here’s our first message, and we hope you’ll take a moment to call your state legislators and decision-makers in your community to tell them why you support library service.

Many municipal, county, and state services compete for funding each year, and one of the messages we hear frequently is that “essential community services” need to be funded before everything else.

We believe that the public library is an “essential” service and should be adequately funded. While the circulation of books, DVDs, and audio CDs are still important aspects of modern library service (circulation is up substantially), libraries and librarians are very involved every day helping residents prepare resumes, search for jobs, and submit online job applications.

High-speed Internet access is one of the most popular services offered by today’s public libraries, and it’s vital to be able to use many e-government sites to download forms and instructions, or to enhance one’s education through online courses and tutorials.

State budget funds allocated for library spending amount to about 0.2% of the state budget. About 2% to 3% of statewide municipal spending (all city, village, town and county spending) is allocated for libraries. Figures vary by community, but it’s certain that libraries receive a small portion of local budgets.

It’s vital that we ensure these “essential” services are available for all residents, and we can only do that if people like you become involved and speak up for your library!

To do this week: Find out when candidate forums are being held in your area and make plans to attend.

Library Board Trustee Information

The IFLS website now has a section of library board trustee information. The page contains news for library trustees, resources, and a series of FAQs.

IFLS Planning

Beginning in late November the Indianhead Federated Library System began an extensive planning process to review our major service areas. A Planning Committee has been appointed as well as eight subcommittees: 1) Continuing Education; 2) Consulting; 3) Technology; 4) Interlibrary Loan/Resource Sharing/Databases/Delivery; 5) Youth Services; 6) Special Needs; 7) MORE Future Growth and Development; and 8) MORE Purpose and Philosophy. Each subcommittee will be charged with making recommendations to the Planning Committee about big picture services within those categories. For the latest on the planning process visit http://intranet.iflsweb.org/IFLS_Planning

Job Opening--Public Relations and Communications Coordinator (Half-Time Position) with an emphasis in graphic design

Public Relations and Communications Coordinator (Half-Time Position) with an emphasis in graphic design

The Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) is seeking creative and energetic candidates to assist IFLS and member libraries with graphic design, public relations, marketing, and advocacy. We seek a team member who will assist with the development of electronic and print resources in support of our member libraries and System services. The position will provide training and support for advocacy, communication and marketing related activities for IFLS and member libraries. Characteristics desired: self-motivated, creative thinker and problem solver, ability to communicate in non-technical terms, handle multiple projects, and work well as part of a team. Associate degree with 2-3 years experience is required. Bachelor’s Degree and/or library experience is preferred.

IFLS is headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, about 75 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. IFLS staff works with member library staff and local library boards, offering consulting help and a connection to state-supported services and programs. Please submit application by January 11, 2010. This half-time position offers flexible hours and prorated benefits. For a complete job description, go to www.ifls.lib.wi.us/prdescription.doc

Submit resume, cover letter, wage requirements, and references via email only to John Thompson, Library System Director, at thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us Applications sent via traditional mail will not be considered.

CDC H1N1 Flu Kit

"Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers" provides information and communication resources to help businesses and employers implement recommendations from CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to the 2009-2010 Influenza Season

NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY SPACE NEEDS: A PLANNING OUTLINE NOW AVAILABLE

The popular tool for conducting a preliminary space needs assessment for Wisconsin public libraries has been recently updated and revised by its author and former DLTCL consultant Anders C. Dahlgren, now president of Library Planning Associates, Inc. The 30-page narrative outline and corresponding electronic worksheet can help public library staff and trustees estimate their library's future space needs to determine whether more comprehensive facility planning should be conducted. The DLTCL is grateful to Anders Dahlgren for donating his time to update this useful tool, and to the volunteer reviewers who provided comments for the revision: John Thompson of the Indianhead Federated Library System and Deb Haeffner of the South Central Library System.The outline covers six broad types of library space--collection space, reader seating space, staff work space, meeting space, special use space, and non-assignable space (including mechanical space). It suggests how library goals relating to each of these areas can be projected to meet future needs and provides a way to translate resulting service assumptions into space needs. Using the library's future service population and estimated collection size, the resulting simplified assessment of the future space needs can be compared against the available space in the existing building. The space needs estimate can be used to evaluate the adequacy of the present site or the amount of property that may be needed at a new location.The link to the PDF version of the publication, as well as a link to the Excel-formatted worksheet, can be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/plspace.html.