Essential vs Nonessential

It's budget time. The necessary evil process that prepares us for next year. This year there are real challenges real threats, real fears. Not so much as other states and other libraries, because Wyoming economy is still fairly healthy. But we expect the downturn that has hit the national and international markets. How do you prepare for that? Our County Commissioners, our primary source of funding, are taking a serious look at all county agencies and the core functions of those agencies. That is their job.

My job is to protect the library, the building, the employees, and the service provided to library users. But the charge is essential versus nonessential services. Do we do anything at the library that is nonessential? We don't think so -- or we would not be doing them. Detractors point to the teen room, as a new service. But teen literature has been designated for nearly 20 years, and teen programs have been part of library services for more than ten years. The remodeled teen space improved access to the book collection so much that circulation of teen books immediately increased by 30%, and it has remained that high. Teens are reading. And the teens have an advisory board to help supervise events and a volunteer group learning about public service. Is that nonessential?

The library extension service may be nonessential; it is unusual. But it has been part of the library for close to 20 years. We make home deliveries to shut-ins of all ages -- non drivers, handicaps, injury and surgery patients who are recovering at home. We service mini-libraries in senior centers. We coordinate volunteers for library projects and for one on one computer classes. Our adult and teen volunteers donate more than 1500 hours a year, saving the county $24,000 in salary. Are these things nonessential?

Are adult programs, collections, reading challenges nonessential? Are story times nonessential? Where do we draw the line for developing literacy, creating a passion for reading, encompassing the pure joy of learning, sharing, exploring that the library offers?

Historically, the State of Wyoming has accepted public libraries as a core service. The first WY library laws built the library into the county system of 12 mil funding as an essential county agency. Why? Because like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Wyoming legislators recognized the need for informational services to maintain a public strong enough and knowledgeable enough to run the government. Voters need information. Reading skills and access to information are requirements for a strong democracy. In 1916 a horseback librarian, Mabel Wilkinson, rode across a couple of WY counties surveying residents for their interest in opening a public library in their county seats. Andrew Carnegie included WY libraries in his building program. Recently WY legislators have continued to support the public library systems by funding the on-line systems for the card catalog, circulation, and acquistion of library materials. Wyoming continues to support their libraries.

Now you may argue that the only essential services are police, fire, roads. Really? Is that enough to keep your community healthy? No need for childcare, education, cultural opportunities. No, siree. You don't need reading for pleasure or to find answers. You don't need information to help with decisions on car buying or elections. But national statistics show that is exactly what we need especially in times of recession. Library use increases steadily as book and magazine buying declines. That makes sense. Right?

This is a tough year at your library. It looks like we may have several tough years and tough decisions to make. So you'll probably be hearing more from me on essential versus nonessential. Let me hear from you too. I'll be needing your advice.
Patty