- The American Library Association recommends a minimum salary for a public library director of $40,000.
- In Utah, Libraries that serve a similar population size pay a range between $25,000 (Morgan) and $60,000 Or More (Park City)
- In Utah County, Director salaries range from $25,000 (Eagle Mountain) to $60,000 Or More (Orem, Provo).
- Santaquin, which serves a similar population size, pays between $40000 and $50000. I believe the new Highland director was hired at around $40,000.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Staffing, hours
The following is from Craig Nielson at the Utah Library Division, July 30, 2008.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Bookmobile services
The annual report of the Utah County Bookmobile shows Alpine patrons checked out 7,824 items in 2007 (an average of 150/week), down 7% from 8,433 in 2006.
Most popular items county-wide:
19323 Books
1767 NetLibrary
1364 Paperback fiction
505 DVDs
Also Casettes, VHS Videos, Magazines, CDs
Total: 24,228
Bookmobile website: http://utahcountybookmobile.org
Most popular items county-wide:
19323 Books
1767 NetLibrary
1364 Paperback fiction
505 DVDs
Also Casettes, VHS Videos, Magazines, CDs
Total: 24,228
Bookmobile website: http://utahcountybookmobile.org
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Usage patterns
The following excerpts are from The Economic Contribution of Wisconsin Public Libraries (May 2008), commissioned by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)and funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Public Input and Library Usage Patterns
Part of this study included a public survey of library usage. The survey questionnaire was designed to gather input regarding library use and approximately 2,400 individuals from all over the state responded to the survey. Because survey respondents consisted primarily of regular library users, it should be noted that these data are probably not illustrative of all Wisconsin residents (library users and non-users) as a whole.
Use of Libraries by the Public
A majority of respondents (93%) are regular card-carrying public library users of the library and more than 90% report that they use the library at least once per month. Over 60% of respondents indicated that the library website was frequently used as a means to gather information and reserve library materials. In addition, more than a quarter of respondents contact the library by telephone. A majority of respondents (about 82%) contact reference librarians for assistance, and a significant majority (88.3%) of those who contact reference librarians do so in person.
Books remain the most popular items for library users to borrow. Approximately ¾ of respondents reported checking out DVDs or videos, while nearly half check out audio books and nearly a third check out periodicals.
Over ½ of survey respondents (about 56%) access the Internet at the public library, though only about 7% of all respondents are dependent on the library as their only means of access. Approximately 2/3s of respondents attend special events, classes, or programs held at public libraries.
About 30% of respondents indicated that when visiting the public library, they are likely to stop at nearby businesses that they would probably not have shopped at otherwise. Of those respondents who reported an amount spent on side trips to other businesses, the average amount spent was $24.93.
Library Alternatives
Respondents were asked about a number of ways that their lives would be affected if they did not have access to a public library. Specifically, respondents were asked to estimate the amount they would spend if they had to pay for the same services elsewhere by purchasing or renting materials they currently have the option of borrowing from the library. Respondents who chose to answer those questions reported saving approximately $205 per month as a result of using the public library.
Respondents were surveyed about their attitude toward public libraries and they extent to which they value the presence of public libraries in their communities. Almost all respondents felt that public libraries contribute in a meaningful way to the quality of life in their community, and that funding public libraries was a good use of tax revenue.
43% percent of respondents donate their time and/or money to public libraries. The average annual donation reported was $130.07, while the average amount of volunteer time reported was 66.68 hours per year, or about an hour and a quarter per week.
Analysis
The information ... was obtained through public input at 29 focus group sessions held around the state.
Strengths
Strengths cited by participants included access to a wide range of information and materials, the fact that libraries are a community hub or gathering place, the public access to computers and the Internet, and access to resources to those who would otherwise be unable to afford them. Other strengths noted included services (such as interlibrary loan, classes, and job assistance), knowledgeable staff, and the library's encouragement of reading.
Weaknesses and Threats
The challenge cited most frequently was a lack of funding, which leads to a diminished level of service and/or the lack of ability to expand services. ... Participants at almost every library we visited felt that the lack of physical space compromised the ability of their public library to provide a level and range of services that they would like to see. People also mentioned the Internet as a challenge, and a decline in library use by people who seek information online instead of visiting a library.
Opportunities
... Participants felt that public libraries must strive to keep library collections and technology as current and up-to-date as funding will allow. Another opportunity was to continue to build interest in reading and to continue recruiting new readers, particularly young readers, through initiatives like summer reading programs. There was also a strong sentiment to see libraries develop more collaborative partnerships with schools and universities, social service agencies, non-profit groups and community programs, as well to reach out to the business community for deeper involvement.
The Role of Public Libraries in the Information Economy
Although a number of participants expressed concern that libraries could become less important, most feel that public libraries would remain at least as important, if not more so in an information based economy. As noted above, many people felt that the importance of libraries is a constant, and that libraries will remain important to them regardless of overall trends among the public or changes in technology.
Interestingly, the increasing availability of online content lead some to conclude that libraries are less important than they used to be in light of the ubiquity of the Internet, while others felt that libraries were more important as a result.
Conclusion
Public library use has increased as libraries continue to provide a broad range of services and adapt to changing technology and the needs and expectations of their clientele.
Despite facing a wide range of challenges, from a need for funding and physical space to an erroneous public perception of declining library use, public libraries continue to make a valuable economic contribution to the State of Wisconsin. Public libraries are a significant driver of Wisconsin's economy, contributing more than ¾ of a billion dollars to the state economy on an annual basis, and returning a benefit of over $4.00 to taxpayers for each dollar spent, both of which are in fact conservative estimates.
Public libraries benefit their communities in many other ways beyond those which are quantified in this report. As noted consistently by focus group participants all over Wisconsin, library users all over the state value their public libraries as community gathering places, as a resource for promoting reading and literacy, as a resource for small businesses, and a place where technology and information is available to everyone, regardless of income level.
Public Input and Library Usage Patterns
Part of this study included a public survey of library usage. The survey questionnaire was designed to gather input regarding library use and approximately 2,400 individuals from all over the state responded to the survey. Because survey respondents consisted primarily of regular library users, it should be noted that these data are probably not illustrative of all Wisconsin residents (library users and non-users) as a whole.
Use of Libraries by the Public
A majority of respondents (93%) are regular card-carrying public library users of the library and more than 90% report that they use the library at least once per month. Over 60% of respondents indicated that the library website was frequently used as a means to gather information and reserve library materials. In addition, more than a quarter of respondents contact the library by telephone. A majority of respondents (about 82%) contact reference librarians for assistance, and a significant majority (88.3%) of those who contact reference librarians do so in person.
Books remain the most popular items for library users to borrow. Approximately ¾ of respondents reported checking out DVDs or videos, while nearly half check out audio books and nearly a third check out periodicals.
Over ½ of survey respondents (about 56%) access the Internet at the public library, though only about 7% of all respondents are dependent on the library as their only means of access. Approximately 2/3s of respondents attend special events, classes, or programs held at public libraries.
About 30% of respondents indicated that when visiting the public library, they are likely to stop at nearby businesses that they would probably not have shopped at otherwise. Of those respondents who reported an amount spent on side trips to other businesses, the average amount spent was $24.93.
Library Alternatives
Respondents were asked about a number of ways that their lives would be affected if they did not have access to a public library. Specifically, respondents were asked to estimate the amount they would spend if they had to pay for the same services elsewhere by purchasing or renting materials they currently have the option of borrowing from the library. Respondents who chose to answer those questions reported saving approximately $205 per month as a result of using the public library.
Respondents were surveyed about their attitude toward public libraries and they extent to which they value the presence of public libraries in their communities. Almost all respondents felt that public libraries contribute in a meaningful way to the quality of life in their community, and that funding public libraries was a good use of tax revenue.
43% percent of respondents donate their time and/or money to public libraries. The average annual donation reported was $130.07, while the average amount of volunteer time reported was 66.68 hours per year, or about an hour and a quarter per week.
Analysis
The information ... was obtained through public input at 29 focus group sessions held around the state.
Strengths
Strengths cited by participants included access to a wide range of information and materials, the fact that libraries are a community hub or gathering place, the public access to computers and the Internet, and access to resources to those who would otherwise be unable to afford them. Other strengths noted included services (such as interlibrary loan, classes, and job assistance), knowledgeable staff, and the library's encouragement of reading.
Weaknesses and Threats
The challenge cited most frequently was a lack of funding, which leads to a diminished level of service and/or the lack of ability to expand services. ... Participants at almost every library we visited felt that the lack of physical space compromised the ability of their public library to provide a level and range of services that they would like to see. People also mentioned the Internet as a challenge, and a decline in library use by people who seek information online instead of visiting a library.
Opportunities
... Participants felt that public libraries must strive to keep library collections and technology as current and up-to-date as funding will allow. Another opportunity was to continue to build interest in reading and to continue recruiting new readers, particularly young readers, through initiatives like summer reading programs. There was also a strong sentiment to see libraries develop more collaborative partnerships with schools and universities, social service agencies, non-profit groups and community programs, as well to reach out to the business community for deeper involvement.
The Role of Public Libraries in the Information Economy
Although a number of participants expressed concern that libraries could become less important, most feel that public libraries would remain at least as important, if not more so in an information based economy. As noted above, many people felt that the importance of libraries is a constant, and that libraries will remain important to them regardless of overall trends among the public or changes in technology.
Interestingly, the increasing availability of online content lead some to conclude that libraries are less important than they used to be in light of the ubiquity of the Internet, while others felt that libraries were more important as a result.
Conclusion
Public library use has increased as libraries continue to provide a broad range of services and adapt to changing technology and the needs and expectations of their clientele.
Despite facing a wide range of challenges, from a need for funding and physical space to an erroneous public perception of declining library use, public libraries continue to make a valuable economic contribution to the State of Wisconsin. Public libraries are a significant driver of Wisconsin's economy, contributing more than ¾ of a billion dollars to the state economy on an annual basis, and returning a benefit of over $4.00 to taxpayers for each dollar spent, both of which are in fact conservative estimates.
Public libraries benefit their communities in many other ways beyond those which are quantified in this report. As noted consistently by focus group participants all over Wisconsin, library users all over the state value their public libraries as community gathering places, as a resource for promoting reading and literacy, as a resource for small businesses, and a place where technology and information is available to everyone, regardless of income level.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)