Final on Political Climate

Another example of how the public library provides valuable services to the community is The Child Support Commission. This agency sends single parents to the library to access their website via public use computers to file the necessary paperwork for child support. This website asks the patron a series of questions and then generates the “Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit” based on the answers. And finally, a very recent development is the placement of computers in young adult areas of public libraries for parents and teenagers to access information on Georgia driving laws and restrictions for new drivers. These computers are called Joshua computers for the law that governs teenage licensing with the same name.

In conclusion the political climate for public libraries is based on many things. They are public opinion, elected officials, library directors and staff involvement in the community, tax revenue, population, and the library’s ability to adjust to the growing needs of its patrons. Those persons interviewed strongly suggested that library employees be involved in community activities, social and civic clubs and keep abreast of local politics.

Planning process

In my Public Library Administration class at UA we were divided into two groups and given a particular county and library system in Kentucky in which we were to gather the data necessary to begin mapping out a five year plan. Because it was just an exercise and the libraries were unaware of the assignment we could not contact them. We could only use census and county data and the library’s own website for our information. The exercise was fun but also frustrating because it is difficult if not impossible to do a S.W.O.T. analysis without input and feedback. What the exercise taught me is how important all those S.W.O.T. analysis meetings we did at GPLS as well as the team meetings. They are a vital part of the planning process. I am really enjoying this process.

Leslie

Example of library service

One thing that was said in the interviews was that libraries are perceived by the general public as good. They are known for having excellent service and to provide an important connection point in the community. If one was to ask or survey patrons about libraries they would say they are very necessary and they do a good job. Patrons feel they receive a benefit from the library. However these same patrons want what they want when they want it. They are not interested in the reasons why they cannot have what they want only that it is not available. The library though is generally thought to provide an important service and one with quality. Not all agencies are viewed this way. Although the Department of Juvenile Justice provides a vital service to the community it is not always viewed in a positive manner like the library. The library is regarded by many to be a central gathering place where information needs are met. These needs can be personal enrichment, pleasure reading and job enhancement. The Department of Motor Vehicles now requires all individuals needing to renew their CDL or Commercial Driver’s License to watch a video and pass a written test. Many patrons visit the library to view the video via the internet. Once the test is complete they can then print a certificate stating they have watched the video and passed the exam. This certificate is then presented to the DMV and the license can be renewed. This is just one example among many how the public library provides a valuable service to the community.

PINES

Leann,
I can sympathize with you. I ordered some books in July and have not received them either. But on a more positive note I requested some books last week for my Public Library Administration class and received 5 of them already. I was very pleasantly surprised. There is no rhyme or reason for somethings. I cancelled the holds that were stuck in transit and replaced the ones I really needed. This has worked for some of my co-workers.

Leslie

Well...

I'm frustrated. I ordered some books for the history paper several weeks ago through Pine. They are not here yet. The librarian at my local library told me it has taken books up to two months to arrive in the past. Two months? I really didn't believe she could be serious. She also said there was no way to track these books. That alarms me.The computer has said they are in transit from Atlanta to here for weeks. Where did they go? Is this normal? Does document delivery take that long everywhere?

According to past strategic planning efforts...

Many of the issues in past strategic planning efforts are no longer applicable for example, the establishment of libraries, free public service, or integration. Some have changed with the times such as Library of Blind to GLASS. Some are reoccurring issues.

Lack of economic resources for rural areas is a constant. The majority of support for rural libraries has always come from federal or state funds. In the past, this issue has been addressed by matching grants. The federal government allotted money to libraries if the funds were matched. Local funds then stimulated state interest and funds. In the past large donations from individuals, Carnegie, or Gates have also addressed this problem.

Several times assessment for Georgia’s libraries and Georgia’s needs came outside of the department. Because the assessment was done on Georgia libraries and not on the agency, the formal mission and purpose of the agency did not change with the times. After outgrowing its stated purpose, the library state department would merge with other departments to accommodate new needs. Past assessments done by the state library department would have a plan to make the adjustment physically and with new staff, redefine the mission and initiatives of the department, and plans were made to use ongoing assessment in the future.

Rural Libraries

Continuing the Political Climate discussion.....

Rural libraries have a harder time keeping up with library trends than larger systems for several reasons. When a county's population is growing it is easier to defend the budget of the library system because needs are obvious. Growing communities also mean a larger revenue base to draw from. It also means there are more people using the library and placing a greater demand for materials, computer access and upgrades and programming. In a rural community where the population may not change much or not at all, the needs for materials, computers and programs are still there, but the county may not have the resources to meet the demands. The revenue or income in the county is flat with very little change. It becomes a challenge for a rural library to purchase new materials or computers when even the postage increases affect the library budget in a negative way.

All libraries face budget constraints and I do not want to imply that larger systems don't have these same type of issues. I work in rapidly growing county with a public library system that is expanding. I also happen to purchase some of the materials for the system. There is never enough money. In my Public Library Administration class in grad school one of my classmates was telling us how her rural Tennessee branch library had a materials budget that was appalling. I spend more in my monthly budget allowance for materials than she gets for the year. This really drove home the challenges that rural libraries everywhere face on a daily basis.

Leslie