Posts Tagged ‘funding’

The Role of the Public Library in Economic Vitality

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

Michelle LaBrosse, PMP

This library in Haines, Alaska won the small town library of the year in 2005.   This library enables tourists and people investing in Haines to stay connected to their businesses down south (I know it helped me do just that).

This library in Haines, Alaska won the small town library of the year in 2005. The library enables tourists and people investing in Haines to stay connected to their businesses down south (I know it helped me do just that).

My sister-in-law has been working in the public library system for the past two decades. She was sharing with me how her town wanted to reduce the public library budget by 20%. This is a public facility that over 10% of the town’s citizens use every month. Public libraries are the hub of small business development in many areas. Most have internet access available free. Many employ reference librarians that are a fantastic resource for anyone starting or expanding a business. When I started my first business 22 years ago, it was a reference librarian who pointed me to the resources that helped me get the company going. Many have community rooms that people can use to teach classes and hold meetings. They also host their own training programs to teach people how to use the computer and do research Not adequately funding the public library really hurts an area’s ability to rebound in difficult economic times. Whereas, studies show that when state and local governments invest in libraries, it enhances the quality of life in communities and helps build a stronger state economy. During difficult economic times, libraries need to be open longer and offer more services, not fewer.