Several diaries this fall have detailed Kossacks impacted by the economic downtown, some of them being GBCW diaries as Kossacks close their ISP accounts. The comments in these diaries usually include a referral to their local library for free wifi or internet connections. Good idea.
As the president of a very small public library in a very small (pop. 1217, 2000 census) rural town in an otherwise wealthy county, I see first-hand what a public library can provide and how hard it is to provide it. And it's becoming harder as funding stagnates, usage increases, and we become a social safety net.
I encourage you to learn more about your own public library and to support it in whatever way you can.
Public libraries hold an almost sacred role in our country, a foundation of democracy. We take them for granted, however, wanting them there when we need them, perhaps thinking that they are for "others" in the community and not for "us."
Who are the users of the public library? Mothers with young children? Certainly. Low-income folks who can't afford books, PCs or internet connections? Sure. Kids doing homework? Yeah, sometimes. Homeschooling families? Yep.
Libraries are also used by voracious readers. By school children whose interests and reading skills change monthly. By environmental folks who like the thought of materials being purchased once and reused infinitely. By minimialist folks who want to keep down the clutter in their homes. Don't forget that libraries also offer movies, music, magazines, games, and audiobooks in addition to books.
Some people complain that public libraries just aren't convenient, and libraries across the county are addressing this issue. Many libraries provide lockers for after-hours pick-up, mail-order delivery and returns, and door-to-door delivery. My library system allows cardholders to download audio books from their website to an MP3 player. It's all free.
My little library offers five programs for preschool children. We offer a summer reading program to preschoolers, school-aged children and teens, and adults. We offer books clubs, a scrapbooking club, gardeners' club, creative writing group. Mom's night out. Game tournaments for teens. It's all free. It's for everyone. In my town, it's the only thing in town. The library is the preschool and the community gathering place.
As important as public libraries are to the concept of a free society, they aren't funded at the federal level, although some grants are available. In fact, funding of libraries in the US is a patchwork. Some states, like Ohio, are the gardens of Eden of LibraryLand. Pennsylvania, where I live, not so much. The funding here is convoluted, coming from several levels of state and local government. And again this year, state funding is frozen at 2003 levels.
As the economy spirals downward and more folks turn to their local libraries for perhaps the first time, these funding shortfalls will become stark. There are many ways you can help.
Borrow materials. Circulation is the sales figure for libraries, and government funding of libraries is often tied to increases in circulation.
Pay your fines. Yes, I know you returned it, but it was late.
Participate in programs. Make new friends. Build community.
Volunteer your time and expertise. Shelve books. Lead a program. Provide handyman services. Help with the book sale. Serve on the board of trustees.
Make an annual donation. A few patrons of our library give $500 or more each year. About 50 families give $50 or $100. However, if every household in our service area gave just $15, we would double our donation revenue. Right now, the few contributors are supporting this community resource.
Please visit your local library soon. Ask to speak with the library director. Find out what materials, services and programs your library offers. Ask to see the operating budget. Ask how government funding works for your library. Ask to see the strategic plan. Ask what the library needs most.
The best thing you can do to ensure your library is there for you when you need it is to use it all the time.
(Please be considerate in your comments: it's my first diary.)