13. Salaries, computers, Internet services, tech
support, subscriptions, books and building
maintenance all cost money.
And we need a lot.
Because you use the library a lot.
25. That’s how many
programs, classes, meetings and
events were held at public libraries in
2010.
It averages out to one free program
every day in every library in America.
27. Here’s some more good news.
There are more libraries in America
than Starbucks cafes, Wal-Mart
stores or McDonald’s restaurants, and
library usage is increasing.
But…
28. For the third year in a row, 40% of
state libraries report decreased state
funding for public libraries.
All libraries benefit from state aid, but
small and rural libraries will close
without it.
35. College and university libraries give
doctors, scientists and academics
access to the journals and databases
they need to keep up with
developments in their fields.
Most of them are also partially state
funded.
41. State and local governments are asking us to
take on more responsibilities, like helping
people access online education, healthcare
and government services.
42. At the same time they’re cutting our
technology, training, staff and operating
budgets. This has been going on for years.
57. THANK YOU
From a librarian who <3’s patrons
For the source of the statistics used in this presentation
and other ways libraries are pretty cool, see:
http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet06