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Library Value

Library Value, Public Libraries, Research
2-page graphic summary of library value
May 14th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

So far this is one of my favorite handouts on the value of libraries to our communities. This is easy to look at and conveys unexpected information, gathered from reputable reseach. Share with staff, trustees, decision-makers, the community!

How Libraries Stack Up: 2010 (April 2010)

If you want to make a powerpoint presentation, two templates are available for your use. See Downloads column on right side of page. No need to register.

For more information, see: http://www.oclc.org/reports/stackup/
Legal, Library Value, MN Libraries in the News, Public Libraries, Reference, Tough Economic Times
County Law Libraries Assist With Do-It-Yourself Legal Work
April 20th, 2010 | Permalink | 1 Comment

In tough times, people try to do quite a few things for themselves, including legal work. The services provided by open-to-the-public, county law libraries are profiled in a great article in today’s Star Tribune.

The new legal aid: Do it yourself
Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/20/10
In bad economic times, public law libraries boom with visitors needing legal advice. Do-it-yourself legal work has become the way, from bankruptcy filings to fighting an eviction.

Librarians referenced or quoted:
Susan Larson, Minnesota State Law Library, which coordinates county law library service
Sara Galligan, Ramsey County Law Library (MN)
Gene Myers, Anoka County Law Library (MN)
Judy Meadows, Montana State Library

If you are looking for a county law library near you, check out the Minnesota County Law Library Directory. If you are asked to assist patrons with legal questions and could use some direction, take a look at Legal Reference and “Do It Yourself” Resources (Guest Blogger, Sara Galligan).
Public Libraries, Tough Economic Times
Pioneer Press posts two-part endangered library series
April 19th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday the Pioneer Press started a two-part series on endangered libraries, and today it posted the second part.

4/18/10: To balance books, libraries close, take new forms: Libraries are in a funding crisis at the very moment that demand for their services is surging. The combination could force some small community libraries to close.

4/19/10: Lake Elmo library supporters consider mutiny in the county: If library is downsized, city might withdraw from system

Bob Shaw, bshaw@pioneerpress.com, is the series author.
Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times
MPR: Librarian’s job description expands to help unemployed
April 12th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Last week I shared the announcement that public radio was requesting public input on changes at public libraries since the recession, and was developing a news story for National Library Week. The story came out this morning, and is available as text and audio: Librarian’s Job Description Expands to Help Unemployed (Minnesota Public Radio, 4/12/2010)

The article quotes Jennifer Nelson, who does strategic planning for the Hennepin County Library system, Kim Poole, a librarian at Hennepin County’s Southdale Library in Edina, and Chrystie Hill, Community Services director for WebJunction (Central). The story highlights these services: assisting job seekers with online applications and social work concerns, teaching computer skills since job applications are now online, and providing internet access and a place to work.

After reading or listening to the story, consider sharing your thoughts with Minnesota Public Radio via “Help us cover this story”: “Tell Minnesota Public Radio News why this story or subject resonates with you, and where we should go from here. We also welcome corrections, news tips, resource recommendations, and story suggestions on other topics. The information will stay within the MPR newsroom and may be used to follow up on this story or investigate other subjects.”

Getting the word out about the current extent of the work of libraries is so important as our communities face tough economic times. Would welcome your comments!
Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times
Public radio solicits public input on changes at public libraries
April 6th, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

Library staff and the public are invited to share their experiences and insights with Marketplace, a public radio program, for an upcoming National Library Week segment on the use of public libraries since the recession. To provide input, visit Does your library double as a job center? or click here: http://tinyurl.com/ye2ldt7.
Library Value, Public Libraries
How the Public Library Can Save You Money (Woman’s Day, 3/1/2010)
February 23rd, 2010 | Permalink | Comment?

You see a lot of funny things when you go online. Today is 2/23/2010, yet the article below is from the 3/1/2010 issue of Woman’s Day, posted online 2/1/2010. (Serials staff won’t find this amazing. They’re used to dealing with details that don’t fully align in the world of print + online + online updates. But I digress…..)

Stories are so powerful that Woman’s Day and the American Library Association offer an annual essay contest on the value of public libraries. The four essays by this year’s winners are now available. See what you think, and consider collecting stories about the value of your library from your library’s end users. Everyone, especially funders and decision-makers, loves a good story.

And, thanks to Jim Weikum, Arrowhead Library System for sharing this year’s article!
Grants, Public Access Computing, Recession, Technology
Broadband Stimulus: Demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP apps
August 5th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Sitting in a conference for library staff, I’m taking a moment to list here the great stuff ALA released today on broadband stimulus. The Washington Office released another practical paper for those who are making a BTOP application. Don’t miss: ALA Washington Office releases guidance on demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP applications (District Dispatch, 8/5/2009)

To learn about Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts and how libraries might influence national directions, view these links.

ALA: FCC should consider role, benefits of libraries in National Broadband Plan (District Dispatch, 8/5/2009)

FCC Hosts 18 Summer Blockbuster Broadband Hearings

Participate live or online in the planned FCC broadband workshops. View the schedule.
Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology
Broadband Stimulus: ALA note for serious applicants
July 30th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday ALA released a 7-page paper, “targeted to members of the library community who have a serious interest in applying to the Public Computer Center (PCC) funding category of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).”

The paper, “A Note On The Public Computer Center Funding Category and Library Proposals”, is available via this District Dispatch entry, ALA Washington Office releases paper on public computer center BTOP funding, library proposals.

I see the District Dispatch just provided a reminder about deadlines and resources, Broadband stimulus funding application deadline drawing near.

ALA’s Washington Office is doing a great job of providing info on a complicated grant.
Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology, Tough Economic Times
Broadband Stimulus: Examples of Possible Library Projects
July 24th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Wondering what library projects might qualify for federal broadband stimulus dollars? On July 22, the ALA Washington Office held an excellent webinar on the broadband stimulus program, “Know Your Stimulus”. If you are short on time, read the Bradley presentation for great examples of how this funding could be used by libraries.

It appears staff training, patron training, and operating costs for public access computing could be proposed under the public computer center elements of the broadband stimulus program. More later.

1-Rohde: The first presenter, attorney Gregory Rohde, gave an excellent overview of the ARRA as it applies to Computer Centers and Broadband Adoption. To view the presentation slides in pdf, click here.
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ALA-Presentation-on-Computer-Centers-and-Sustainability-Programs-7-22-09.pdf

2 – Bradley: For those looking wondering what projects libraries might propose, I highly recommend the material provided by Lynne E. Bradley, “Know your BTOP: Libraries and the Broadband Stimulus Program”. The concrete examples will stimulate thinking. The powerpoint is available here.
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/LB-Webinar-slide-deck.ppt#257,1, KNOW YOUR “BTOP” Libraries and the Broadband Stimulus Programs

The slides along with the entire webinar archive (audio + video) are available at this url: http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=3361. (To activate the webinar archive, click on the play button below the slide screen.)

To receive updates on this topic from the American Library Association, consider subscribing to their “District Dispatch” via http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?page_id=277.

For more information on the stimulus program in general, visit the ALA website, Know Your Stimulus, http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/knowstimulus.
Advocacy, Economic Development, Library Value
Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities (Planning Commissioners Journal, Summer 2009)
July 22nd, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Another timely and highly readable article on the importance of libraries to our communities, and one that will be of interest to local decision-makers. Thanks to Melissa Palank, MLA, for sharing this alert to ALA State Chapters:

The feature article in the Summer issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal, “Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities,” reports on the increasingly important role public libraries are playing in our communities. The article also focuses on how libraries can strengthen downtowns and main street districts. For a limited time the article is available to download at no charge (as a pdf file). The pdf can be redistributed as is. If you are interested in reprinting the article or excerpting from it for your newsletter (there will be no fee for this), please contact us first.

For information about Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities, and to download it, go to:
http://pcj.typepad.com/planning_commissioners_jo/2009/07/libraries.html

We hope you will share this information with your members, as we think the article will be a valuable resource in showing the benefits that strong libraries can bring to communities.

If you have any questions, contact:
Wayne Senville, Editor, Planning Commissioners Journal
802.864.9083 / pcjoffice@gmail.com / http://www.plannersweb.com

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Library Value

Library Value, Public Libraries, Research

2-page graphic summary of library value

Legal, Library Value, MN Libraries in the News, Public Libraries, Reference, Tough Economic Times

County Law Libraries Assist With Do-It-Yourself Legal Work

Public Libraries, Tough Economic Times

Pioneer Press posts two-part endangered library series

Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times

MPR: Librarian’s job description expands to help unemployed

Library Value, Public Libraries, Recession, Tough Economic Times

Public radio solicits public input on changes at public libraries

Library Value, Public Libraries

How the Public Library Can Save You Money (Woman’s Day, 3/1/2010)

Grants, Public Access Computing, Recession, Technology

Broadband Stimulus: Demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP apps

Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology

Broadband Stimulus: ALA note for serious applicants

Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology, Tough Economic Times

Broadband Stimulus: Examples of Possible Library Projects

Advocacy, Economic Development, Library Value

Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities (Planning Commissioners Journal, Summer 2009)