Tuesday, April 20, 2010
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
Thanks largely to tough economic times, the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is trying to figure out ways to maintain sustainability and make plans while having to balance a sharp decline in state revenues with increased usage.
That was at the heart of a three-hour planning session Monday by members of the library system’s board of trustees, who also revisited the system’s strategic plan.
Addressing the challenge was Bill Wilson of Himmel & Wilson Library Consultants, a Milton, Wis.-based independent consulting firm, who was brought in partly to look at how the library has fulfilled obligations outlined in the plan.
For several years beginning in the late 1990s, a priority for the library system was to increase its visibility in the community, Wilson noted. A main goal now is continuing to deliver the best services while coping with a funding crisis, he explained.
Five principles made up most of the system’s 2004 plan: concentrating more on patrons’ needs, decreasing duplication of services, maximizing use of assets, increasing productivity and generating new revenue, Wilson noted.
Ways the library fulfilled those principles included consolidating some services, adding wireless and other technology, forging partnerships, adding childhood- and financial-literacy programs and allowing patrons to make donations or pay fines online, Wilson pointed out.
In addition, many local branches have become centers of social and community life during the past decade. Free use of computers benefits many who are unemployed because it makes searching for a job easier, Wilson noted.
During his presentation, Wilson tossed out several short- and long-term suggestions and ideas, such as having dependable and reasonable hours across the board; ensuring that each branch reflects the needs of the area it serves; forming more partnerships with public and private foundations and entities; extending hours for certain services; and making greater use of technology programs.
Doing nothing is a poor option, in part because the library system could become irrelevant over the next 10 years, and several branches likely would close, Wilson predicted.
A concerted effort is under way to listen to local people’s needs while trying to deal with the confluence of increased use of facilities and less funding, noted Carlton A. Sears, library director.
Since 2000, state funding has remained relatively steady or dropped somewhat. Last year, however, the library system suffered a dramatic $2.24 million loss, he noted.
“An erosion of state funds beginning nearly a decade ago accelerated rapidly in 2009, at a time when people are turning to libraries more and more,” Sears said, pointing to the need for a balanced budget to protect the system that’s served the Mahoning Valley for more than 130 years.
During their meeting, library officials looked at three scenarios and likely consequences of each as they discussed options to help the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County deal with decreasing revenues coupled with increased usage. The three were:
Fully restoring hours and addressing all capital needs. Benefits include keeping all branches open and having such needs looked at by 2014 or 2015. Nevertheless, this plan would probably be costly, require a 2-mill additional levy on the ballot and create the perception the library is unresponsive to and out of touch with economic realities.
Doing nothing. Reduced hours would continue, the general fund could dry up by November 2011, up to five branches might close, and repairs to buildings wouldn’t be made.
Studying, planning and implementing adjustments to responsibly satisfy needs. This middle-of-the-road approach would allow some hours to be restored, require a smaller levy, show that the system is committed to financial stability and encourage innovative means of operation such as renting vs. owning, as well as seeking partners for co-locations, mobile services and mergers.
Source: Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County