I’ve been in “all hands on deck” mode for the past month, since learning of the pronouncement that West Boylston has no money for our public library. I’ve attended meetings and been in daily contact with library staff, Friends and a newly formed Advocates Group. One of the many things I’ve learned is that this
◊ Funding ◊
More than a lack of funds
As reported in the Boston Globe, the public libraries in Freetown, Norton, Hubbardston and Wareham have lost their certification “because, in the state’s view, the communities went too far in slashing their budgets.” The coastal community of Rockport also faced budgetary pressures and received the funding necessary to maintain certification without applying for a waiver.
The ‘library supporter segmentation pyramid’
In a 2008 report, the Online Computer Library Center categorized library financial supporters as follows: Super Supporters: the most likely regular voters to be committed to vote yes for a library referendum, ballot initiative or bond measure. These people represent the core of the libraries’ current support base. (7.1%) Probable Supporters: regular voters who overall
U.S. libraries on borrowed time?
A recent article in USA Today briefly describes the funding challenge faced by communities all across America. The article closes with a quote from Chris Hoene, director of policy and research at the National League of Cities, as follows: “As people lose income or curb spending, income tax and sales tax revenue falls. Local officials
Extreme thoughts on public libraries
The West Boylston Selectmen and Town Administrator have called for reduced FY2010 budgets from each department to meet a significant revenue shortfall in the coming fiscal year. Our Administrator has stated that in spite of deep across-the-board cuts, there is no money for our public library. That seems pretty extreme to me. Through working with
