Transcript “Focusing on Trends of Rural and Small Libraries” _______________________ State Library of Kansas Bernard Vavrek, Department of Library Science, Clarion University [email protected] October 4, 2006

“Focusing on Trends of Rural
and Small Libraries”
_______________________
State Library of Kansas
Bernard Vavrek, Department of
Library Science, Clarion University
[email protected]
October 4, 2006
Where in the world is Clarion,
PA?
85 miles northeast of Pittsburgh
Exit 62, Interstate 80
Near Cook Forest State Park
Community of 6,000
An additional 6,000 students
Clarion University began in
1867
Approximately 6,000 students
80 academic programs
Department of Library Science
started in 1937
Accredited by ALA since 1976
Modes of educational delivery via
Clarion University
Face to face
Online using Blackboard software
Combination of both F2F and online
Complete online master’s degree
Center for the Study of Rural
Librarianship (CSRL)
Started in 1978
Educational, research, rah-rah
Publishes “Rural Libraries” and
“Bookmobiles and Outreach
Services.”
www.clarion.edu/rural
Virtual library association supported
by the CSRL
Association of Rural and Small
Libraries http://arsl.clarion.edu
Please join on complimentary basis.
Otherwise, dues is $39/year for
each.
Assignment is to identify trends
affecting rural and small libraries.
Depending on the section of the
country, rural places are
disappearing as exurbanization takes
place.
Rural has morphed into “country.”
“Where all the women are strong,
the men good-looking, and the
children are above average.”
Rural places include those that are:
Farming
Industrial
Ranch
Resort
Extractive
College/university
Seats of government
New housing developments
Defining rural, always tricky.
In Canada, e.g., rural consists of
places of fewer than 1,000 people.
In US, urban starts at 2,500 folks.
Recently, in the US, “micropolitan”
has been introduced to identify
towns of fewer than 10,000.
Today, rural=nonmetroplitan
And the numbers show
That most Americans live in urban
[suburban] places.
The rural population is about 49
million.
PA has the largest rural population
with about 4 million.
Largest growth by Hispanics, 25%
Here come the trends
The following are some factors that
will influence libraries at least for the
next couple of years.
The list is not exhaustive.
1. The war in Iraq
The war in Iraq will continue to
distract the federal government and
cause discord regardless of what
party is in power.
Needed domestic resources will be
spent elsewhere.
2. The cost of gasoline, etc.
Energy prices, natural gas, oil, are
hanging in the balance of world
events.
Libraries, with even sustainable
budgets, could be negatively
affected.
Libraries should budget for possible
increases.
3. Influx of new Americans
Whether documented or not, some
libraries are facing resistance to
providing services for those not
paying local taxes.
Case in Tennessee, last week,
illustrates this and is not alone.
Library staff has to “know” users and
nonusers and provide relevant
services.
4. It’s all in the local economy
Few towns will attract Honda plants.
Places that are growing will probably
continue, with the reverse being
true.
For the most part, it is in the hands
of the community, itself.
Public library has to participate and
support economic development.
5. Local agencies competing for $
Based on economy and number of
palms outstretched, library will have
continuing—if not escalating
challenge, getting its fair share of
the tax monies.
Its community role will make the
difference.
6. Looking for new roles
Libraries should look for new roles—
not necessarily additional ones.
How about day care service?
How about being America’s literacy
provider?
New roles demand new training, etc.
7. Service will make the difference
Public libraries will live or die by the
quality of service provided.
Public has raised expectations even
with limited financial support.
And they will want relevant services.
So find out what these are.
8. Don’t take relevance for granted
Public library continues to be
considered relevant institution and
staff is considered trustworthy, but it
will continue to take daily efforts to
sustain these.
Marketing continues to be
misunderstood. It is a process not
only items in the newspaper.
9. Information everywhere
Challenge for the library is to “niche”
itself for all to see. First, it has to
find out how it is perceived, now.
Today, competing information
resources are as close as the cell
phone.
Planning for the future has become
even more critical--even with
diminished resources.
10. Cooperation
In places where rural and urban
spaces are mixed together, need for
mutual dialog.
The above is very true also with
other libraries [if any] and town
agencies and associations.
Don’t forget about playing nice with
trustees/library boards.
11. Life after Bill & Melinda
Gates
While the Gates Foundation
continues to find ways to support the
tech habit of libraries, one should not
count on this for the future.
To insure support, larger units of
action are necessary resulting in
community technology plans with the
library at the center.
11. Continued…
Staff has to work together to insure
that tech is applied in relevant ways
or it may actually contribute to the
library’s isolation.
But the staff should not be the pit
crew for the Internet.
And remember that other Web sites,
etc., are only a click away.
12. Staff development is key
The greatest asset of the library is its
staff.
Renewed effort to upgrade education
and skills.
Library must budget for this.
Growing online services will help.
Don’t forget to thank volunteers.
12. Continued
While thinking of staff, libraries may
soon close their doors because of a
lack of suitable staff.
Need to work at all levels to raise
education/training, and particularly
salaries.
13. Keeping a smiley face
Despite challenges library community
has maintained optimism.
But, in some places, the smiley faces
are getting tired.
Society is fortunate that dedicated
library staff, volunteers, and others
involved with the library are so
committed to sustainability.
The end
Thanks to Cindi Hickey and the State
Library of Kansas, via OPAL, for the
opportunity of visiting with you.