4/ Many people are not aware of the benefits of using libraries during a recession (free books, cheap DVDs & music, free net access etc.) This needs to change. - Do you have any experience of this?
- Do you know of good research about this?
- How do you feel about this?
- How can 'Word Nerds' help on a local/National/International scale?
- How can we use the internet to help?
- What do we know that could help governments to deal with this issue?
Many people are unaware of what a library has to offer during the best of times. We regularly check out movies from the library here and get books. It would be great if someone had a 'Did You Know' campaign about all the things a library has to offer them and their families.
ReplyDeleteOver here in the states, library funding is determined on a state by state basis and within some states on a town by town basis. Yes, I know, it's confusing. Right now, the state of Pennsylvania is threatening big budget cuts and the response of the city library of Philadelphia is to threaten to close all branches. I can't help but feel this is a huge public relations mistake on their part. Communication is key and I don't think libraries have been doing a very good job of communicating all that they have to offer the public. I have written a blog post on this subject here (http://alissagrosso.com/?p=206), but I would love to hear what others think about this subject. Do people who don't use libraries regularly realize all that they provide? More importantly, do politicians realize the valuable services that libraries are offering their constituents?
ReplyDelete