Public Library System Funding
Increase the State's Funding Commitment to Public Library Systems to 13% of Local and County Library Operating Expenditures
Aids to public library systems fund a wide range of services that directly impact Wisconsin residents through their local libraries. They represent the state’s commitment to preserve and improve local public libraries. System programs, grants and services are vital in providing effective and responsive local libraries, and promote literacy and lifelong learning to people of all ages who regularly use the more than 450 public library outlets throughout the state.
Without adequate funding, systems achieve only minimal compliance with many statutory service requirements that are essential to quality patron service. Systems are required to:
- contract with a major library to serve as a system library;
- coordinate interlibrary loans between system libraries;
- coordinate open access for all system residents to all system libraries;
- provide for the continued professional growth of local library staff through training;
- provide for delivery and communication services; and
- coordinate planning for cooperation with non-public libraries, system-wide collection development, services to patrons with special needs and library automation.
The present level of funding jeopardizes the current status of full participation by all libraries in the state, which is necessary to ensure that everyone in Wisconsin has free and open access to a nearby public library . One of the requirements for participation in library systems is that municipal public libraries must offer their services to all residents in the system area. If public libraries choose not to participate, access to public library service by non-residents is reduced or eliminated. Since participation in public library systems is voluntary, in order to ensure continued participation by all public libraries, public library systems must provide a level of service that makes participation desirable and beneficial to their member libraries. Without additional funding, public library systems will not be able to offer local public libraries the services and support they need to maintain universal open access.
One of the most important functions of public library systems is promoting and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and information resources among libraries. Sharing resources allows libraries to meet the knowledge and information needs of their community cost-effectively through technology. Public library systems have been leaders in using resource-sharing technology in libraries; additional funding is essential if the potential of technology in improving library services is to be fully realized.
According to Act 150, the Department of Public Instruction must request funding at a level equal to 13% of the total local and county public library operating expenditures from the previous calendar year. While recognizing the state’s budget challenges, WLA supports the funding goals of Act 150 and supports increasing the state funding level to 13% of local and county expenditures.
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