What Happened?
In this library update, local officials in two Pennsylvania municipalities are discussing a possible shared services agreement and the Aspen Institute argues modernized libraries are critical to prosperity.
Goal
Officials from the Warren County Library System in Pennsylvania are in talks with representatives from Washington on how best to service the public when the Franklin Township branch closes. The officials are considering opening the Washington borough branch to other county patrons, offering the public an interim landing place for library services. The proposal calls for granting Washington patrons full access to the county system, Lehigh Valley Live reported.
The shared services agreement would allow residents that typically frequent the Franklin Township library with a place to return books and access the county’s library system. The County offers an inter-library loan system which could be extended to the Washington branch to accommodate a larger population of patrons.
For the expansion of services and accessibility to patrons of the affected borough to be deployed, the county would have to provide supplemental funds to the Washington library – which currently runs on a tight annual budget of $150,000 to $175,000. The shared services agreement would not, however, involve the county taking over operations of the borough library, Lehigh Valley reported.
Looking Ahead
While some communities are adjusting their resource management strategy for library services, others are considering modernizing their offerings and operations. A report from the Aspen Institute for its Dialogue on Public Libraries argued that access to library services – information, technology, learning – are central to economic performance and prosperity in modern society. Transforming libraries into public hubs of digital resources can close divides in wealth and technology inclusion, helping individuals of all socioeconomic statuses succeed.
To do so, municipalities must rethink how libraries impact the community socially and economically. The researchers recommend decision-makers consider:
- Libraries have historically been available to everyone and integral to information inclusion
- Libraries drive opportunity and success in a knowledge-based society
- Networked libraries promote economies of scale and broaden the reach of library resources at a local level
To convert libraries into centers of learning, creative and innovation, municipalities must see them as key assets in “sustaining the educational, economic and civic health of the community during a time of dramatic change.” It is important to preserve libraries in all communities because they:
- Promote a trained and educated workforce
- Ensure equitable access and provide civic space for democratic activities
- Fuel development within the community
The report points out 17,000 library branches and outlets exist nationwide, providing a strong foundation to build off of when creating networked library systems.
Next Steps
To successfully maintain libraries in the long-term, the report recommends four strategies:
- Align library services with community goals - Libraries should be more intentional in how they share resources with the public, as well as provide clear solutions to community challenges.
- Provide access to content in all formats - Libraries should offer ebooks and other digital content for all physical versions, as well as provide universal broadband technologies to help people create content.
- Ensure sustainable funding for the future - Library leaders must find a consistent source of revenue for daily operations and long-term planning. This may require exploring alternative business models and measure outcomes to find the best setup.
- Cultivate leadership - Leadership at the local, county, state and national level must integrate library services into community strategies and consider the resources as key components to strengthening social and economic growth.
In addition, a networked library system should find a way to preserve local control over branch assets and operations.
Tomorrow’s Libraries
Gov1 has reported on a variety of strategies for planning the future of library services, many of which consider technology integration key to long-term sustainability.