Libraries stress importance of services
More than 85 DuPage Library System members, legislators, legislative aides, and students from area high schools attended the seventh annual DLS Legislative Breakfast on Oct. 26 at the DLS headquarters.
DLS Library Advocacy Committee Chair Matthew Suddarth, director of the Winfield Public Library, discussed the tough financial situation the state faces. He encouraged the audience to advocate on behalf of libraries and work to restore funding for libraries and library systems.
The state's per capita grant funding to libraries and library systems recently was cut by 50 percent for fiscal year 2010. Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White restored some of the funding to libraries by re-allocating federal grant funds, resulting in an actual cut of 16 percent.
Library use during these tough economic times is increasing, while funding from the state is decreasing. Library advocates realize the seriousness of the state's budget crisis and are asking members of the Illinois General Assembly to take a pledge to restore funding when the budget is healthier.
The current funding shortfall was addressed as legislators and their aides had the opportunity to speak about the current budget, recent legislation and their philosophy on the importance of libraries.
The morning's presentation also included the results of a special DLS project titled: "Snapshot: One Day in the Life of a Public Library." On Oct. 21, public libraries in DLS were asked to capture the impact they have on their communities in a typical day.
Librarians compiled a number of statistics by tracking library activity. DLS Director of Informational Services Denise Zielinski totaled the statistics, along with testimonials from library users. She cited the results of the surveys and related them to the audience with a "sports fan" twist. A few of the stellar statistics that Zielinski spoke about:
• 25,588 "fans" (patrons) visited DLS libraries Oct. 21, a number that would almost fill half of Soldier Field
• "fans" checked out more than 47,000 items
• "players" (library staff) tackled 4,047 reference questions from "fans"
In addition, DLS board President Su Erickson presented state Rep. Kay Hatcher (50th District) with a READ poster. The READ poster series is part of a national effort to promote libraries and reading by featuring public figures on posters.
"Libraries are dealing with unprecedented increases in use at the same time that library funding is being reduced," DLS Executive Director Tom Sloan said. "No additional cuts should be made to libraries, and when the economy improves, library funding should be restored."
The DuPage Library System is one of nine regional, multi-type library systems in Illinois that support local services. Organized in 1966 under the provisions of the 1965 Illinois Library System Act, the system consists of almost 140 members, including academic, public, school and special libraries in portions of Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties. Visit www.dupagels.lib.il.us.
-- Submitted by Renee Anderson, DuPage Library System
