What the !@#$%?

Sound Familiar?


Libraries facing budget challenges
'We've cut as much as we can'
Don Lajoie, The Windsor StarPublished: Saturday, December 15, 2007

Taxpayers, library staff and management have reacted with dismay to news that city council has ordered the Windsor Public Library Board to make $800,000 more in budget cuts next year, without reducing hours or eliminating any of 10 local branches.

Brian Bell, chief executive officer of the library, said management is at a loss on how to achieve the goal, stating that the directive gives the cash-strapped institution next to no room to maneuver. He noted that a half million dollar cut had to be absorbed in 2005 even as the system grew from nine to 10 branches.

"How we can achieve those cuts and still keep 10 open will be difficult," he said, adding that there are 91 full-time staff and about 80 part-timers. "We've cut as much as we can.... If you don't have the staff to keep buildings open, well, you can't have one without the other."

Jacqueline Mathurin studies with Chris Parton (not pictured) at the central library branch in Windsor on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. The city is planning to cut $800,000 from the library's budget and it is unclear at this point where that money will come from.

He noted that up 12 to 14 staff cuts might have to be made to cover part of the $800,000 shortfall but some branches currently only have two employees working. Operating with as few as one, he said, may not even be possible under current labour agreements.

He said there are 13 professional librarians in the system, earning between $45,000 and $50,000. Clerical and library services staff earn about $30,000 to $40,000. Moving people around to fill the holes, he added, will cause "a ripple effect" throughout the system, ultimately leading to chronic staff shortages.

--The Windsor Star 2007

I remember in school presenting discussions on fundraising and noting the disconnection in my classmates as I spoke about what seemed like a big "Duh!" to them. Well, if it is "Duh!", then why do professional librarians get caught with their pants down so much?

Part of the very complex subject of budgets and fundraising can be addressed in the way we think of money. Ask yourself some questions. Do you think you are responsible for your budget or is that the province of high ups? Do you expect that city of officials or governing boards are acting in a way that will protect your job, or to just get by? Is it reasonable that the ones building the factory should be responsible for paying its bills?

It sounds like I am kicking dirt into the eyes of my fellow librarians. This is not the case. I am asking, how active are you in fundraising, and have you been a trail blazer? Don't assume last years sources of money will meet tomorrows demands. Don't assume they will be there. Assume they are never enough.

A good example of how to think of fundraising is to think of your library as a business who is responsible for its own financial matters exclusively. Be greedy about finding money. Think large. Think in unexpected ways. Have fundraising events year round. Have money coming in everyday if you can. Have foundation money waiting just in case. Network and cultivate a warm and working relationship with important and valuable advocates that matter. Start with a governing board. How well do you know the people who sit on this board? Get to know them, and let them know how much you love the library and its mission. Make them understand why the library needs professional librarians, not paraprofessionals. Participate in all fundraising events. Volunteer to help on days off. Building long term relations with the public and advocates will lead to solutions during lean times.

I know of a great example north of Chicago. Evanston Public Library has a strong leader in its directorship and a board who is passionate about making the Evanston Public Library System a successful one. Although the system is connected to the city's payroll they have developed a large foundation and have active year round fundraising campaigns. They prepare for lean times. They not only work on finding money, but build advocacy for the library.

This is exactly what every professional should do for their library. They must be an active and public advocate for not only the mission of their institution, but for its fiscal success. Libraries fail because of poor advocacy planning and a lack of its employees to see that they have a key role in controlling weather or not the doors stay open.

No one likes to be told they don't care, or they are clueless. But money talks and...well you know the rest.

I would love to make this an open dialog...any takers? Any money making thoughts?


Here is the link for the full story:



http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/story.html?id=a573f059-e92a-4c3d-a6db-a78b59fdea08