[Publib] private funding for public libraries

[Mimi Morris]

Hello, Jessica,

 

I don't think anyone objects to the possibility of private funds!  However, I do have serious concerns about abdicating our advocacy for the public support of public libraries.  There are few government institutions so egalitarian, so community focused and so constituent based as a community or neighborhood library.  Public libraries support schools, support business development, support a literate and informed society.  Government funding gives us the best chance of providing service to ALL of our citizens, regardless of demographic or economic differences.  Once we embrace a private funding model, we are only one more "charity", fighting for the limited funds of a population who will pour funds into the disaster of the moment without real thought of maintaining stability for local needs.  Once we are a charity, our affluent communities will probably have great libraries, while lesser-endowed communities will be second class citizens in an information-dependent world.  Library cooperation will decline, because poorer communities will not be able to pull their weight in a consortium environment.  

 

That said, I do think we have to take every opportunity to enhance our public funding with funding from grants, gifts and partnerships.  Our Director has said that outside funding can provide the "sizzle" of extras not available through our state and local budgets.  I think he's right.  Outside funding from LSTA and private foundations paid for 2/3 of our new children's bookmobile, and I am profoundly grateful.  It is a magnificent tool that is reaching at-risk preschoolers in new ways.  Our public funding pays for the staff, collection and maintenance-and we cannot expect ongoing gifts for those expenses.  We can hope that our visible success with the bookmobile can lead to funding for more special projects, enhanced collections, and exciting programs that complement all the other services we provide.  

 

These opinions are totally my own, and not those of my library...

 

Mimi Morris

Assistant Director for Branch and Extension Services

Dayton Metro Library

215 E. Third Street

Dayton, Ohio

45402

937-227-9536

mmorris at daytonmetrolibrary.org

 

 

 

 

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of jess macleod
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 4:36 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] private funding for public libraries

 

I have been doing some research regarding the funding situation for public libraries. The government tax dollars are decreasing, leaving the public library with little to no option. I read that Ferguson Library in CT leases space to Starbucks for $45,000/yr. Is anyone looking at alternative funding sources, or does anyone have any objections to the possibility of private funds?

 

Jessica MacLeod

Secretary to the LBOT

Floral Park Public Library

Floral Park, NY  

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