Published: 02-23-09
As demand skyrockets librarians to appeal to legislators
AUSTINAs demand for library services reaches record levels in Texas and around the country more than 200 librarians and library supporters will come to the state Capitol on Wednesday Feb. 25 to ask legislators to increase funding for key public and school library initiatives. As a recent statewide survey shows Texans support increased funding for libraries.
More than eight in 10 Texas voters say they would support more funding for public and school libraries. The telephone survey of registered voters conducted by KRC Research on behalf of the Texas Library Association also found that an overwhelming majority believes their public library is very important (79 with 13 saying fairly important) to their community.
With demand for services on the rise TLA member librarians will seek additional funding for four key statewide programs in their meetings with legislators on Feb. 25. The state Appropriations General Government Subcommittee is expected to hear testimony on Wednesday on the Texas State Library which oversees many statewide library programs.
TLAs legislative priorities for this session are:
• TexShareprovides library resource sharing and database services to college students and faculty and public library users: an increase of $5.25 million per year
• Loan Star Librariesa grant program that awards funding to public libraries in communities throughout the state: an increase of $4.35 million per year
• K-12 Databasesprovides quality online resources for Texas students and teachers: an increase of $4 million per year
• Texas Library Systemsa network of 10 service center to support public libraries: an increase of $2 million per year
TLAs recent research showed that strong majorities across every demographic geographic and political spectrum support increasing public funding for both public (81) and school (82) libraries. Texas voters agree that public libraries are a good value for tax dollars (94 including 70 who strongly agree) and deserve more funding (87 including 62 who strongly agree).
While demand for public libraries is growing support for school libraries also remains very strong. The vast majority of Texans TLAs research shows believes school libraries are almost as important as classroom education. Nearly all respondents (99 including 84 who strongly agree) believe school libraries are essential to education and are willing to vote in support of them. More than nine in 10 (94) believe that school librarians are critical to student achievement.
The vast majority of respondents (93) would support legislation that would require public schools to provide students with a school library and librarian that meets statewide standards. More than eight in 10 voters across every demographic segment and geographic region support the legislation including 88 of Republicans 95 of Democrats and 96 of Independents.
Nationwide more and more people are using libraries to look for jobs and for inexpensive entertainment options. The TLA survey showed that nine in 10 agree that during economic hard times public libraries provide important resources to families and job seekers and 83 believe public libraries support the economy through job skills training career and job information and resources for local businesses.
In Austin for example Internet use in public libraries grew by 50 percent from 2003-2008 and circulation grew by 17 percent. In Round Rock Internet use is up by almost 19 percent in the first four months of 2009 compared to the same time period last year; circulation is up by more than 12 percent.
I believe strongly that libraries are vital to the success of our schools and communities" says Senator Judith Zaffirini D-Laredo. They not only provide innovative learning tools for children to develop reading and research skills but also offer the latest technology and educational resources to the communities they serve."
Other key findings from the survey:
• Texas voters believe nearly unanimously that libraries provide important programs and services for children and young people. Ninety-five percent believe that public libraries improve the quality of life in their communities.
• Texans say many library services are very important to the community: 83 say reading programs and organized activities for children and young people is very important and 80 say free access to diverse and current books and other information is very important.
• Public and school libraries enjoy strong and intense voter support regardless of where respondents live or whether they have school-age children.
• Texas voters say school libraries are as important as classroom education and more than eight in 10 believe that school libraries make a major contribution to childrens education.
• School libraries are viewed as essential because they provide opportunities for children to develop reading and research skills and voters see a link between academic success and strong libraries.
• Not only are Texas voters supportive of funding increases but the vast majority are opposed to funding cuts for public and school libraries.
TLAs first comprehensive statewide survey was made possible through the generous support of the Brown Foundation of Houston and the Tocker Foundation of Austin.
For detailed survey results and more information go to
http://www.txla.org/html/pr/survey.html.
