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As Americans deal with a slumping economy, U.S. libraries are experiencing a dramatic increase in library card registration. According to a new Harris Poll from Harris Interactive, released Sept. 22 during Library Card Sign-up Month, 68 percent of Americans have a library card, up 5 percent since 2006.
 
Survey results indicate that this is the greatest number of Americans with library cards since the American Library Association (ALA) started to measure library card usage in 1990.
 
In-person visits also are up 10 percent compared with a 2006 ALA household survey. Seventy-six percent of Americans visited their local public library in the past year, compared with 65.7 percent two years ago.  Online visits to libraries are up even more substantially – with 41 percent of library card holders visiting their library Web sites in the past year, compared with 23.6 percent in 2006. This finding complements the ALA’s 2008 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, which found that public libraries have significantly increased the Internet services available to their communities – including online homework help, downloadable audio and video, and e-books.
 
“I think most that walk through our doors are pleasantly surprised by the variety of free services libraries offer,” said ALA President Jim Rettig. “The poll has confirmed what we have been hearing from our members from the start; ‘libraries have become family destinations, technology hubs, cultural centers – basically the pillar of most of the communities they serve."
 
“As the nation continues to experience a downturn in the economy, libraries are providing the tools needed to help Americans get back on their feet,” said Rettig. “From free homework help to assisting with resumes and job searches, now more than ever libraries are proving they are valued and trusted resources.”
 
How did those surveyed view their local library?
 
Almost all Americans (92 percent) say they view their local library as an important education resource. Seven of 10 agreed their local library is a pillar of the community (72 percent), a community center (71 percent), a family destination (70 percent) and a cultural center (69 percent).
 
Overall, people are satisfied with their public library. Based on everything they either know or might have heard or read, three of five Americans (59 percent) are extremely or very satisfied with their public library and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied.
 
Among those that have a library card, the satisfaction is even higher – more than two-thirds (68 percent) say they are extremely or very satisfied and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied with their public library. Even those who do not have a library card express satisfaction with their libraries. Two of five (40 percent) are extremely or very satisfied while 21 percent are somewhat satisfied.
 
The Harris Poll is a non-commissioned survey that was conducted online within the United States between Aug. 11 – 17, 2008, among 2,710 adults (ages 18 and over).

> from Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 3, September 25, 2008 - posted with permission

(The following article originally appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of Communique. It is being reposted here with the permission of WLA.)

Remember David Spade on Saturday Night Live, when he played the flight attendant? He was able to say "good day" and "buh bye" in the most sarcastic tone that left us laughing. I've been thinking about why that bit was so funny. I think we could relate to it on two levels. One was that we have all encountered people in customer service positions that seem like they could care less about what they are doing. So David's portrayal of the uninterested flight attendant resonated with us. On another level, we all know the "high-maintenance" customers that take so much time. Watching David deftly say "buh bye" to some of them gave the audience a sense of what comes around, goes around!

What does this discussion have to do with libraries? Libraries are in the service of the public. Our challenge is to remain fresh, engaging and friendly, ESPECIALLY when we would like to say "buh bye" to our "favorite" patrons. Sustaining a positive attitude means recognizing that we need to work on it every day. First and foremost, I always like to remind myself that my patrons are my bread and butter. I like to employ humor with my patrons because when we are laughing together, the challenge of interaction diminishes. I tell myself that even if it is the tenth time I am answering the same question in a day, it is the FIRST time for that patron to ask that question. And, most of all, I believe in the golden rule - treat others as I wish to be treated.

~ by Elizabeth M. Timmins, Director, Muehl Public Library, Seymour, WI

The Shifted Librarian recently blogged about a nonprofit group that will create a miniature golf course in your library for a fundraising event. The group is called Library Mini Golf and was founded after a creative idea for raising money for hurricane victims earned $10,000 at the Trumbull Library in Connecticut. Check out this article (pdf) to learn more about how the group started.

Sounds like fun, no?! Think your library would benefit from some golfing in the stacks? Hmmm, maybe there will be an LSTA grant category for something like that next year...

> contributed by Beth

I've been running across loads of articles in the news about libraries in email, my feed reader, and different podcasts I listen to. Thought I'd share a little collection of them here, just in case you might be interested.

Local news:

• Audio books allow 'readers' to get up and go
• Public libraries are keeping up
• Internet offerings keep libraries booked up
• Library gives connection to community
• Wife, husband pursue mission work during EAA

National news:

• Economic slump a gain for south Florida libraries
• Libraries shine in tough economic times (NPR broadcast)

How are things at your library? Busier than ever in a sagging economy? Post your thoughts in the comments.

> contributed by Beth (found via Terry Dawson's blog the New Cybrary, Channel Weekly, and misc. email listservs)

OCLC recently released a report entitled From Awareness to Funding: A Study of Library Support in America. The study's purpose was "to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S." A few key findings from the report are:

Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation.

Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support.

Voters who see the library as a 'transformational' force as opposed to an 'informational' source are more likely to increase taxes in its support.

You can download a PDF of the report (though it's quite large!), read it online, or view/print individual sections at the link above.

> contributed by Beth (found on The Shifted Librarian)

The Consumerist recently ran an article entitled 7 Ways Your Public Library Can Help You During A Bad Economy. It's a pretty decent article that states a lot of the obvious things we know, but what I found really interesting were the comments added to the post by readers. Here's a sample:

And they have databases where you can find investment info, info about a company you might want to work for, and even databases of car repair information.

and...

You can even get software from some libraries - programs that will help you build a deck, for example.

Governing Magazine has again published two must-read articles about libraries.  Revolution in the Stacks talks about how libraries are changing roles in our changing world.  The article features libraries that have reinvented themselves by creating teen spaces, embracing Library 2.0, serving as community gathering spaces, and facilitating the creation of content.  A companion article, Getting in the Game discusses whether video gaming belongs in libraries.  I recommend that library workers and trustees read these articles, not only for their interesting content, but because local governmental officials are reading them.

> contributed by Rick

Recently, two articles about public libraries have appeared in Public Management, the journal of the International City Management Association (ICMA).  The articles are part of an ICMA project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to explore the role of city and county managers as advocates for libraries and the relationship of libraries to quality of life and community sustainability.  The first article appeared in the March 2008 issue "Libraries: Partners in Sustaining Communities" and can be found at http://icma.org/pm/9002/.  The second article "Welcome to the E-Government Library of the Future -- Today" in the April issue at http://icma.org/pm/9003/.   The third article will appear in the May issue.  Library directors and boards should be familiar with these articles in case a municipal official inquires about them.  Because many local officials may not read ICMA publications libraries should consider sharing these articles with them.

> contributed by Rick

Last year the Legislative Audit Bureau was charged with conducting a best practices review of public library services in Wisconsin. The final report was issued this week and can be found on the Legislative Audit Bureau website. The full report and a shorter report of the highlights are available. You can also listen to a podcast of the highlights.

> contributed by Rick on News for Directors

When reading the recent issue of Marketing Library Services, I came across an article about a place called DOK in the Netherlands, in Delft, to be precise. DOK calls itself a "Library Concept Center," mashing media, music, film, literature, and art together in an amazing, active, and thriving community center.

The mission of DOK is to become and remain the most advanced library in the world. Using creativity, technical innovation, and advancing scientific understanding, DOK endeavors to be an indispensable source of inspiration for its members, visitors, and partners in the city of Delft, in the Netherlands, and in the world. In this way, DOK hopes to safeguard access to the independent, objective, free flow of information that is essential for democracy now and in the future. 

Be sure the read the full article, because I think you'll be inspired by it. Jenny Levine, blogger also known as The Shifted Librarian, recently visited DOK and wrote about her trip in her blog. Take a look at Visiting the Most Modern Library in the World to see her take on this unique facility. She has also shared her photos of the trip in a Flickr set, so be sure to check that out while you're at it.

After you read the articles posted here, what do you think? Has DOK inspired you to look differently at your library? What kind of library would you like to have, assuming there were no limitations in budget, staff, or any of the other restrictions we feel daily?

>> contributed by Beth