"Supporting" the library
In response to the Pew Research Internet Project's recent report on the engagement of Americans with public libraries, Bobbi Newman writes, "Rather than aiming for every community member to have a library card, the goal of libraries should be for every community member to support the library whether they use it personally or not."
Looking at our cardholder stats from the past few years, nearly twice as many Metro library card holders DON'T use their card as DO use their card. However, those that do use their card are active users as over that same time period, library visits, circulation, public computer sessions and public computer hours have all increased near or above 10%.
Oklahoma County property owners do contribute to the Metro Library System with their property taxes (and how grateful we are!) so they are in fact supporting the library. But is there an underserved population that we are missing? We certainly found one after we first opened Almonte. And a recent survey of downtown residents showed that one of the businesses they'd like to see in the downtown area is a "bookstore." So do we pursue this population by letting them know about the "bookstore" that is the Downtown Library or do we simply accept their tax dollars as support of MLS and consider ourselves satisfied? Or is there an option in between?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Comments
As I read your thoughts I was immediately reminded of Anne Patchett's riveting talk at the Literary Voices dinner several years ago. She reminded attendees that while they could choose to purchase all the books they wanted that was not the case with all the residents of Oklahoma County, and therefore it is our obligation to support our public library. Her remarks were direct but inspiring.
Along the same vein, I'm sure Andrew Carnegie had a lovely library of his own, but chose to build libraries all across America for others. The need for libraries now extends not only to books, but also to technology and other resources.
While it would be wonderful if everyone was a "card-carrying" library supporter, perhaps equally important are well-informed, passionate and vocal library supporters - even Downtown!