Public libraries face tough times
Friday, October 02, 2009
By Sophie Petit - Special to the Moultrie News
“Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.” - Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson
I remember getting my first library card in the fourth grade. It was the first time I had been asked to sign something officially. I tried to craft my name in sophisticated cursive, attempting to imitate my mom in my 8-year-old scrawl.
I felt so grown-up.
And now, as an adult, I am witnessing our public libraries face some of their most challenging years.
Last fiscal year, Charleston County Public Libraries experienced a funding cut of half a million dollars. This fiscal year, the system faced a $700,000 funding loss. The Charleston County Public Library system covers 16 branches including the main branch in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant Regional Library.
Because of reduced funding, the main branch is in the midst of a hiring freeze, an effect that has spread over most of the country, according to Cynthia Bledsoe, acting executive director of Charleston County Public Libraries. With less staff, some programs have suffered and been cut altogether.
However, as resources grow scarce, Bledsoe said Charleston public libraries have been busier than ever.
Last year, a total of more than two million people walked through the doors of all 16 branches, and almost four million items were checked out.
At Mount Pleasant Regional alone, about 750,000 items were circulated. Every year the numbers go up.
Although circulation can be attributed to an increasing Lowcountry population, the tough economic climate has compelled the community to turn to their libraries.
Libraries provide free Internet and computers, essential tools for job hunting.
“We have a lot of people who come in because they can’t afford to pay for Internet anymore,” Bledsoe said.
Instead of renting DVDs, people have realized they can check them out. Rather than buying the number one best-seller, people wait for them to come out at the library.
“Libraries are a tremendous resource for all ages,” said Cynthia Schweinfest, branch manager at Mount Pleasant Regional Library.
Unlike the main branch, Schweinfest said Mount Pleasant Regional, a notably smaller branch, has fortunately yet to make any service or program cuts due to reduced funding.
The majority of library funding comes from state and county budgets, which historically have been very financially supportive of libraries. But in the economic downturn, states have had to cut back spending in all public areas.
A major player in supporting library services and programs over the years has been Charleston Friends of the Library.
Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization that raises money for the Charleston Public Library system through community donations, membership and book sales.
Sharon Harvey, president of Charleston Friends of the Library, feels the main problem is that while funding is going down, demand is going up. Libraries are being asked to do more with less.
Each year, Friends of the Library hosts four book sales, - one of the largest coming up Oct. 9 -11 - in which all profits go to Charleston public libraries to support free services such as literacy programs and storytelling.
“Our libraries reach across all language and cultural barriers,” Harvey said. “It’s a lot more than borrowing books. It’s the one place in Charleston that is a village square where everyone congregates equally as a place to read and learn…to have a passion and pursue it.”
Currently, Bledsoe is unaware of any South Carolina stimulus money dedicated individually and directly to public libraries.
Increasing federal library funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was lobbied by the American Library Association and other organizations. Congress included a national broadband plan in the ARRA, enacted last February, to increase affordability and access to broadband services.
Libraries have the opportunity to benefit from broadband funding. However, ARRA broadband programs differ from state funding directed at public and school libraries. The ALA has been urging the community to notify elected state officials about the importance of public library funding on a state level.
Bledsoe said a central issue is that states usually focus budgets on public education, but people don’t realize libraries serve as educational institutions as well.
“Libraries aren’t seen as an integral part of the education system,” she said, “but not all learning occurs inside a school.”
Libraries implement “lifelong learning,” Schweinfest added.
Bledsoe expects the situation to get worse before it gets better.
As for now, the Charleston Public Library system is doing its best to maintain branch hours, staff and services. But if funding continues to decrease, Bledsoe and Schweinfest feel more staff and programs will get cut and hours will be compromised.
As the economy sours and demand is growing, perhaps it’s time for the community to step in more than ever as public libraries remain one of the few government places where people can go and, ironically, money doesn’t matter.
If you don't know Wade Malloch personally, you are familiar with his unique ability to bring the family together in a social atmosphere that provides a "little bit of everything" to meet the needs of all. I refer to Blackbeard's Cove, a successful "family fun business" built from scratch three years ago that Malloch ran first, as General Manager and then, as one of three partners.