Budget Cuts Losses Top Topic at Library Institute Meeting
April 11, 2003
The tone of the 17th annual Institute hosted by the Arkansas Valley Regional Library Service System in Pueblo last week was subdued despite the wealth of technical and informational workshops attended by library staff from over 223 southeastern Colorado libraries. Budget cuts, not only included the elimination of the Colorado Resource Center at Denver Public Library that served the entire state; the elimination of funding to libraries that bought $2 million dollars in educational materials; and also the proposed elimination of library systems statewide by zero funding from the legislature were cause for concern among Institute attendees. Systems negotiate cooperative purchasing agreements that allow all libraries to purchase books and materials at reduced rates. They facilitate the interlibrary loan program and the courier system by which loaned materials are delivered statewide. They operate networks that hold library records allowing individuals search capabilities for books and magazines across the state. They provide the only continuing education and professional support most Colorado libraries can afford. Loss of systems will devastate library capabilities to provide information for our patrons.
Phyllis Koch and Sharon Johnson were among the attendees at what will probably be the last Arkansas Valley Regional Library Service System Institute. The Institute was held at the Pueblo Convention Center last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. "CAPitalize Your Library Resources" was the overall theme of the 2003 Institute. Donna Jones Morris, Director of AVRLSS, pointed out, "Libraries provide not just the cold facts, but the expertise and services that add meaning to those facts. Library staff must have continual training to provide the navigation necessary to find materials needed by library users from print and Internet sources."
Surveys show Coloradoans use libraries in huge numbers. Public libraries across the state recorded more than 22.6 million visits in 2000, an average of 6.6 visits per person. Two-thirds of Coloradoans have library cards. The value of books checked out in one year at public libraries exceeds $1BILLION (if residents had to purchase these books). At school libraries, more than 600,000 student visits are made each week of the school year; and school library staff make more than 5,000 information skills instruction contacts to groups and individuals.
For information on Colorado’s libraries and the impact of budget cuts, contact the Colorado Association of Libraries, 303/463.6400; http://www.cal-webs.org. "Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries."