I know, it’s a solemn reminder for the day after, but I wanted to check in with folks who were hoping for the passage of library bonds yesterday.
I’ve heard both good news and bad about library bonds passing. I’m hoping folks will share their stories here as a comment or in a WJ discussion. Because we’re getting ready to launch our Virtual Town Hall in December these types of conversations will also be useful in helping the WJ community build a solid foundation for the series.
Virtual Town Hall: Focus on Tough Economic Times
This December, WebJunction is hosting a series of three webinars on the topic of Libraries in Tough Economic Times. Join us in a new Virtual Town Hall format designed engage all attendees with questions, brainstorms, stories, and to collect practical strategies. We’ve picked 3 different days and times to accommodate as many schedules as possible, but you’re encouraged to join us for as many of the sessions as you are able.
- Thursday, December 4, 10:00 PT/1:00 ET Register Now
- Friday, December 12, 11:00 PT/2:00 ET Register Now
- Thursday, December 18, 12:00 PT/3:00 ET Register Now
I’ve started a Town Hall discussion to get the conversation rolling and to get input as we decide on topics for focus. I think that library bonds are certainly worthy of focus. Other ideas include:
- library budgets
- library closures
- staffing cuts
- and new patron needs in tough times.
Please plan on bringing your questions and strategies to the events. All attendees will be encouraged to participate, but if you’ve got something meaty to share, let us know so we can get your slides or pictures into the Virtual Town Hall before the session begins.
I’ve been itchin’ to use the Wimba Classroom for more informal virtual gatherings like this and look forward to the series. With your participation, we as a community can begin to tackle many of the challenges that lie ahead for our libraries.
First of all, I’m really looking forward to this new series. We are seeing all kinds of fallout around the country because this economic disaster just dropped in on most of us like a rock! With so many people losing jobs and being forced to find new ones or just survive until this wave passes, libraries are going to be an even more important fixture in their communities.
I truely believe that we will have to make sure that we keep our services out there in front of people and provide the support for unemployment filings, resume writing, job searches and just plain moral support for those who might be needing those things. The value of the library has never been greater and this should be re-emphasized wherever possible.
Our library is in the midst of a tax credit sales campaign. We are trying to raise over 350,000.00 to shore up a budget shortfall for our renovations that we started this year. Luckily, our small rural community is pretty generous toward the library and we have done a lot to show the public that it matters to have a library for the town. But, our renovation money is being generated by a local sales tax, which will suffer greatly if sales in town go down because of hard times.
I just recently put an article in the local paper using the “value of the library” caluclator to illustrate just how much it would cost if every book or video had to be purchased individually. It was staggering, even to me. Our Chamber of Commerce secretary picked it up and put it in her newsletter to the business owners to further our cause.
Our entertainment resources and technology resources will become even more important if people are forced to get rid of their cable/dsl hookups because of reduced incomes.
Libraries will not only survive, but will thrive if they can deliver the goods to their communites.
Great post Kim. The article in your local paper is a great example of the kind of ideas we hope to get surfaced in the town hall series. It’s especially great that your chamber secretary picked up the story as well. See you at the Town Hall!
I just added this to the town hall discussion thread too…I’ve heard that libraries are seeing more visitors, staying for longer periods of time, using the library as the destination for free family outings. It’s free and fun. What can we do to make even more obvious the “library as place”?
* Movie nights
* Discussion groups, book or otherwise
* Concerts
* Dances
* Cultural events…sharing of cultural traditions, celebrations
* Or how can we just work to make the environment more welcoming for families to lounge around together? Add beanbag chairs??
Can’t wait for the town hall sessions, but please feel free to start your brainstorming here, now!
In North Carolina we just finished filming a segment for UNC-Tv on how the economic times are affecting libraries. Still putting the piece together, but I think it will be powerful. One of our library directors did a great job talking about libraries and how they support the communities we serve. What fascinated me the most was how surprised the reporter was at what the library had to offer and how busy it was. Just supports my belief that we have a lot of education to do.
I registered for the webinar for Dec. 4, but am confused as to time. One thing says noon ET and another says 1pm.
Pam Jaskot, Library Consultant, State Library of NC
Pam, will you be publishing the UNC-Tv pieces online? or will they? We’d love to share them here (or links to them) at WJ.
Here’s the link to the times that the webinars are offered (listed in Central Time zone): http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2008/11/17/the-tough-economy-technology-and-learning-covered-in-december-webinars/
I hope this helps!!