Worthy Cause: 3 Ways to Support Local Libraries

The New York Public Library Friends Fall 2009 Book Fund Campaign will match up to $50,000-worth of donations.

After a recent relocation, we’re rethinking our hefty (and heavy) book collection. We found that our public library card saves valuable bookshelf space — not to mention cash. In fact, according to the 2008 State of America’s Libraries Report from the American Library Association, visits to public libraries and checked-out items are up 10 percent since the last economic downturn in 2001. The report also found that the sluggish economy has led more people to utilize the library’s free activities, Internet access and job-seeking resources. However, while library attendance is up, many of the institutions — including public, school and university libraries — are facing big budget cuts.

“We’re hearing across the country that libraries are either closing some branches or they’re cutting hours or they’re closing on certain days,” says Camila Alire, president of the American Library Association. “They’re doing this now when more than ever people need to be using the library, the library resources and the expertise of the trained librarians.” In fact, all Free Library of Philadelphia locations were in danger of closing earlier this year before a reprieve from the Pennsylvania State Senate. Following are a few ways to get involved with library issues.

1. Become an advocate. Check out the ALA’s ilovelibraries.org for news and information on how to become a friend of the library, raise public awareness and contact legislators in support of libraries. Look to your state library association for local news and issues and how you can become a library advocate. “It’s a lot more effective to get grassroots people advocating for the libraries, because they do it from the standpoint of: This is how our public library helps us and helps our community,” Alire says.

2. Donate to library programs. For example, the New York Public Library, facing a 26 percent decrease in its materials budget, currently has a Friends Fall 2009 Book Fund Campaign in which every dollar donated to the library is matched by library trustee Laura Sloate, up to $50,000. The Library Foundation of Los Angeles, a nonprofit corporation, helps to support the city’s Central Library as well as 72 branches spanning a 470-square-mile area through fundraising and programs, including the 22nd annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball on Dec. 15. The Chicago Public Library Foundation, which has earned four stars from Charity Navigator, gave $3.8 million worth of funding to the library through endowments and annual fundraising.

3. Clear your bookshelves. Most libraries accept book donations to add to its collection or to sell at fundraisers. Check with your library for the kinds of books accepted and drop-off points — the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, for example, can arrange for a pickup of four boxes or more for those without access to a car. The ALA and Delicious.com list book donation programs, including Darien Book Aid Plan and bookends.org, which accepts gently used children’s books.

We think that libraries need our support. Even Hollywood is getting into the act — Michigan’s McGregor Public Library, which closed in 2002, is getting a renovation for the filming of Highland Park, set to star Danny Glover and Parker Posey. Glover plays a schoolteacher who wins the lottery and decides to reopen the library.

What do you think of the plight of public libraries?

Photo credit: Lillis Photography

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