America's Star Libraries Respond to Customers' Economic Needs

Libraries beef up services, resources, programs on economy, job challenges

Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 01/11/2010

• Special help centers, staff, devoted to aid customers
• Libraries serve as "place of respite"
• More programs deal with economy

Recognizing economic challenges as a key issue in their communities, libraries have stepped in to provide crucial services, while simultaneously offering a place of respite.

In a survey conducted by Library Journal, 115 of the 258 libraries given stars by the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009, Round 2, answered the question, "What was your library’s most important initiative for 2009?" Below are some of the highlights dealing with the economy.

Initiatives address economic and job challenges
Arlington Heights Public Library, IL, has established a separate service desk to help unemployed individuals, review resumés, facilitate networking opportunities, and much more. Westport Public Library, CT, offers one-on-one appointments with staff for job seekers.

Stark County District Library, Canton, OH, is dedicated to providing technology and job skills training. Kansas City Public Library, MO, established a dedicated career, small business, and job skills center,

Acknowledging the role of the library as a key access point to government services, Belleville Public Library, KS, hired a dedicated "benefits coordinator" to help people properly apply for state, federal, and local benefit programs.

Because of budget cuts, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO, is launching a marketing initiative "to grow support, not just use."

Programs, activities that entertain, educate
Along with solutions to practical realities, libraries offered what one described as "a place to have fun while the financial world was falling apart." Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library, Cold Spring, NY, continued to "focus on becoming a community center... we played in the woods, in the river, created plays, held summer camps, made movies, met authors, and had a whole lot of fun!" St. Helena Public Library, CA, doubled adult programming to twice a week.

Blue Hill Public Library, ME, developed a series of programs called "Good Tools for Tough Times." Community members shared their expertise on beer brewing, restoring old orchards, making a good garden bed, foraging for edible mushrooms and wild plants, altering clothing, homesteading, bicycle repair and maintenance, saving knitting projects that have gone wrong, seed saving, and preserving the harvest.

Full coverage of the latest results of the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009, Round 2, based on 2007 IMLS data, can be found here. Other coverage of the survey responses can be found in the following articles:
The Keys to Success for America's Star Libraries
Showcasing Libraries' Worth, According to America's Star Libraries