A new study out (supported by the ALA) affirms that libraries have "weather[ed] the storm of the economic depression, but funding cuts now threaten to undermine public access to public libraries. Find the Final 2011-2012 report here: Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2011-2012. I will also place a link on the Articles Page.
Sadly, though libraries are being used more and more, those who fund libraries continue to think that they are a luxury, not a necessity. Hopefully, this study will help to change public perception.
Showing posts with label Public Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Library. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Education Access is in Peril--This is Why Libraries are So Important
I saw an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education today that stated that 2-year colleges are having to limit access to education for some because of lack of resources. Here is just a bit of the article:
Education for All? 2-Year Colleges Struggle to Preserve Their Mission
The open-door policy at community colleges is unique in American
higher education. It allows all comers—a retired grandmother, an
Army veteran, a laid-off machinist—to learn a skill or get a
credential. That broad access—the bedrock of the community-college
system—has prepared hundreds of millions of people for transfer to
four-year colleges or entry into the work force.
But these days, the sector finds itself in a fight to save that signature trademark.
______________________________________________________________________________
If this is true, then isn't the role of libraries, especially public libraries, even more important? People will need to teach themselves what colleges are compelled to restrict access to. We are needed!
April 22, 2012
Education for All? 2-Year Colleges Struggle to Preserve Their Mission
It's
become harder for some students to enroll in
English-as-a-second-language courses at San Joaquin Delta College. The
institution has eliminated its lower-level ESL courses because of budget
cuts.
But these days, the sector finds itself in a fight to save that signature trademark.
______________________________________________________________________________
If this is true, then isn't the role of libraries, especially public libraries, even more important? People will need to teach themselves what colleges are compelled to restrict access to. We are needed!
Monday, April 23, 2012
It's National Library Legislative Day! Tell your Legislators How Important Libraries are to You.
This is the short letter I penned to my federal and state legislators for National Library Legislative day. Will you join your own letter with mine?
Gentlemen:
As I am sure you are aware today is National Library Legislative Day. Libraries are important for so many reasons. They help students and community members of every age and socioeconomic status to stay on the progressive side of the digital divide. Public libraries educate those who have difficulty paying for education, or help students who are taking online classes and may be nowhere near their official campus. Libraries often become the hearts of their communities. They are not just places for a quiet reading corner or storytime for youngsters in the middle of the day. Often they become the creative voice of that community, and a forum for it's members to become educated about important issues. They are information centers and teach us how to evaluate, write and learn information, whether they be public, academic or another type of library. They open our world and let us come in contact with new places, experiences and possibilities. They help us understand things we thought were beyond our comprehension (in my case, statistics) and bring delight and joy to the community with things like game nights, reading challenges, mystery nights and language and technology classes. Library doors are open to everyone. I've seen my library become a central employment center, where patrons can fill out job applications online and get help with studying for certification exams--or simply with composing that very important resume and cover letter. At library summer reading programs, kids can keep up with the literacy progress they made the year before. As a reading program volunteer, this is very important to me, as Utah's literacy rate seems to be dropping. At libraries it is possible to learn skills that will prepare one for a lifetime of learning in this technology driven world. Sometimes, rural public libraries are the only access available for education beyond the secondary level. Libraries are "America's great equalizer, providing everyone with the same access to information and opportunities for success." What could be more supportive of American values than that?
Sincerely,
Laura Faatz
Gentlemen:
As I am sure you are aware today is National Library Legislative Day. Libraries are important for so many reasons. They help students and community members of every age and socioeconomic status to stay on the progressive side of the digital divide. Public libraries educate those who have difficulty paying for education, or help students who are taking online classes and may be nowhere near their official campus. Libraries often become the hearts of their communities. They are not just places for a quiet reading corner or storytime for youngsters in the middle of the day. Often they become the creative voice of that community, and a forum for it's members to become educated about important issues. They are information centers and teach us how to evaluate, write and learn information, whether they be public, academic or another type of library. They open our world and let us come in contact with new places, experiences and possibilities. They help us understand things we thought were beyond our comprehension (in my case, statistics) and bring delight and joy to the community with things like game nights, reading challenges, mystery nights and language and technology classes. Library doors are open to everyone. I've seen my library become a central employment center, where patrons can fill out job applications online and get help with studying for certification exams--or simply with composing that very important resume and cover letter. At library summer reading programs, kids can keep up with the literacy progress they made the year before. As a reading program volunteer, this is very important to me, as Utah's literacy rate seems to be dropping. At libraries it is possible to learn skills that will prepare one for a lifetime of learning in this technology driven world. Sometimes, rural public libraries are the only access available for education beyond the secondary level. Libraries are "America's great equalizer, providing everyone with the same access to information and opportunities for success." What could be more supportive of American values than that?
Sincerely,
Laura Faatz
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