How libraries are compensating decreasing budgets

By: Lindsay Fricke

With the decrease of funds, many libraries are trying to figure out ways to cut costs in order to save money. Driscoll (2012) explained “if you find a way to do something for 50 cents that formerly cost you a dollar, you get an extra 50 cents to put to other uses.” This is difficult for many libraries as they do not want to take away from the services that are being offered to the public. Hence, libraries are trying to come up with new ways to cut costs without the public directly being affected.

Driscoll (2012) found libraries are cutting costs by “outsourcing, cloud computing, using Netflix to supplement libraries’ audiovisual collections, buying used books for collections, re-evaluating standing order, and using free online tools instead of buying software of apps.” Additionally, Driscoll (2012) explained libraries are using “shared resources and increasing cooperation among libraries, putting pressure on vendors over pricing, directing users to free content through open-access sources, and accelerating the move from print to digital.”

Another area that libraries rely on for some of their budgets is fundraising. Each library has a different way of raising money. Driscoll (2012) found “successful techniques include appealing to donors’ egos, saying thank you, matching donors’ interests to library needs, and inviting donors (and potential donors) to join library boards and attend library-sponsored events.”

In addition to fundraisers, libraries also use annual campaigns to raise money. Driscoll (2012) pointed out “annual funds are important because the flexibility of unrestricted funds enables them to go toward the library's most pressing needs and because annual gifts can become stepping stones to higher levels of giving for donors.”

Besides fundraising and campaigns, libraries are turning to the friends of the library to help support programs and purchasing materials. However, Driscoll (2012) argues there can be problems with members of friends “including clashing personalities, unclear roles and responsibilities, occasional unreliability, and demands on library resources and staff time.”

Libraries also rely on gifts or donations to help provide resources to library users. According to ALA’s Frontline Fundraising Toolkit, “For libraries of all sizes, planned giving is the future—it is estimated that $20 trillion will be transferred intergenerationally between 2000 and 2020” (Driscoll, 2012). Driscoll (2012) explained:

           One of the biggest challenges in attempting to generate additional revenue is evaluating whether the investments in equipment and/or staff time are likely to pay off in the long run. If a library devotes a full-time position to rights and reproductions, for example, will revenue exceed the cost of the employee's salary and fringe benefits?

In any profession, it usually takes money to make money. In order to help offset decreasing budgets, libraries need to determine which strategies work best to help raise money. They need to continually find ways to improve ideas and learn to try new things so the library can determine what works and what does not work as well.

What strategies do you think libraries should use in order to raise money? What are some ways that libraries can cut back on costs while still improving service to all library users?

References:

Driscoll, Anne. (2012). Books in print: indispensable or unnecessary for academic library collection development. Reference Reviews, 26(4), 4-8.

Are circulating books falling as e-books rise?

By: Lindsay Fricke

In many public libraries, one of the first areas that reduced budget effects is purchasing materials. With the rise of e-readers and downloadable books, it is no wonder that the number of circulating books is decreasing. According to Hoffert (2012), “Smaller libraries did better, averaging a one or two percent increase, but libraries serving every population range over 100,000 averaged decreases, and libraries serving populations 500,000 or more saw circulation tumble on average a disappointing 2.1 percent.”

Hoffert (2012) found “book budgets fell by 2.3 percent overall, with only 29 percent of respondents reporting an increase.” Could this decrease be a result of reduced book budgets? Not necessarily. Hoffert stated “despite the decrease, this year’s book budgets are higher than last year’s.” With this, it seems that your library would not have a problem getting the latest books for patrons to use. However, this is no longer the case as the number of e-books increases and becomes more popular. Hoffert (2010) explained “print books still account for most materials spending, averaging 61 percent of the budget compared with media (20 percent), ebooks (four percent), other electronic products (nine percent), and other materials (six percent).”

While every public library’s budget is different, the money spent to buy books ultimately comes to what the library can afford and what the patrons’ requests are. This is where e-books are starting to take precedence in libraries. Hoffert exclaimed “spending on books has trended downward since 2005 and fell on average three percent last year – about the same amount that ebook spending increased.” From this, one can see that collection budgets are making room for the upcoming trend of e-books.

Hoffert (2012) explained that sometimes spending money on books is not a matter of just not buying them more than it is about determining the best way to spend the money. For instance, with the rise of e-books, it seems more likely that a patron will request an author’s latest book on an easily downloadable e-book. Yet, there are still some people who prefer to have the actual book to read, check out, and return to the library. In the end, Hoffert (2012) declared “reducing funding confounds planning, so that librarians can’t even use their hard-earned skills to get what’s best for their patrons.”

Hoffert (2012) argued “the bigger is what the public’s ebook enthusiasm means for libraries generally, as patrons load up their ereaders with purchased ebooks they can’t get at the library.” Lately, there has been an issue with libraries being able to uphold licensing agreements and contracts with ebooks publishing companies.

Even with the rise of e-books, there are still some books that continue to circulate. Hoffert (2012) explained “cookbooks still hold the top spot, having knocked second-place medicine/health off its perch last year.”

Here is a video that discusses print books and how technology is affected their circulation.



Which do you prefer – a physical copy or an e-book? Have you seen a decrease in the amount of circulation at your library? Do you think this trend will eventually force librarians to spend less on books while purchasing more on e-books?

References:

Hoffert, Barbara. (2012). Book circulation takes a hit. Library Journal, 137(3), 22-24. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/02/library-services/book-buying-survey-2012-book-circ-takes-a-hit/#_

To print or not? Pros and cons of print versus online encyclopedias

By: Lindsay Fricke

Non-print encyclopedias are user-friendly with more interactive features than print encyclopedias. Both Britannica Online and World Book Online offer many pictures and videos as well as internal links to similar topics and external links where additional resources can be found. In contrast, print encyclopedias are not capable of including links to the Internet.

Another advantage to using non-print encyclopedias is their ability to offer more information as a result of not having the same space limitations and constraints as printed books. In print encyclopedias, cross references often require individuals to use separate volumes. Furthermore, the accessibility of information in non-print encyclopedias is superior compared to print encyclopedias. With online capabilities, non-print encyclopedias can be accessed virtually anywhere and anytime when needed. Most print encyclopedias are only accessible within a library setting.

In addition to accessing more information, non-print encyclopedias offer the most current information. Non-print encyclopedias can continually be modified and changed as needed whereas print encyclopedias can quickly become obsolete. Being able to modify articles on an as needed basis helps reduce inaccurate data and allows access to the most up-to-date information.

Many non-print encyclopedias offer different resources intended for kids, students, and other users. This ensures the article content is appropriate for the individual viewing the information. This can be helpful to someone who is looking to compare and contrast differences between encyclopedias intended for children and adults. All the information can be accessed within the same encyclopedia.

Strengths of print encyclopedias are their portability and a common recognized layout of information that makes it easy for individuals to use for research. Since they are in printed form, they do not rely on hardware or software to make them accessible. Some individuals prefer to display multiple volumes of print encyclopedias over trying to navigate multiple browsers. However, many print encyclopedias at libraries are reference copies only.

Which do you prefer?

References:

Ross, Michael. (2007). “Publishing without boundaries: How to think, work, and win in the global marketplace.” The Association of Educational Publishers. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2007/03/publish-electronically-or-perish-book-excerpt/

How libraries are dealing with price increases of serials

By: Lindsay Fricke


As a continuation of my previous blog, I have found additional information that discusses library budgets specifically regarding the serials collection. “Data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Association for Research Libraries show that over the past 25 years funding for libraries in higher education has shrunk dramatically as a percentage of total expenditures” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). Not only are budgets decreasing in academic libraries, but also in public libraries. “In response to the 2012 EBSCO Library Collections and Budgeting Trends Survey, conducted in February 2012, 69 percent of libraries reported that their current-year budgets had remained flat or decreased, 52 percent indicated that they expect their budgets for the upcoming year to remain flat, and 22 percent expect their budgets to decrease” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). From these statistics, it is clear that budgets are predicted to keep declining in the next upcoming years.

What are libraries doing as a result of the reduced budgets?

As mentioned in my previous blog, some libraries are reducing the same of staff working as well as not staying open as many hours to reduce costs. Additionally, “Most libraries reported that they were likely to decrease spending for print journals, print-plus-online journals, and print books” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). This means that there will be fewer materials for people to use to get access to the materials they need.

Increase in serials prices

“While state and library budgets continue to decrease, research indicates that serials prices are increasing at a rate that also seems to be escalating” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). While some prices only have a small increase, there are some serials that are more expensive than others. “Prices for science, technology, and medical serials remain the highest, compared with prices for serials in other subject areas” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012).

How to keep costs down

“Serials cancellations and reductions in monographic purchases remain the primary tools used to control costs” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). Another approach to reduce costs is by “changing or dropping journal packages and using pay-per-view instead of subscriptions as a purchase mechanism” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). Do you find pay-per-view to be more effective than purchasing the serial say for a yearly subscription? I think that it depends upon the title and how frequently the title is looked at and used by people. With pay-per-view, the titles would only be offered online. Libraries are foreseeing the shift from print to electronic resources in regards to saving money and cutting costs. “In both 2011 and 2012, approximately 80 percent of library respondents to EBSCO’s survey said they are likely to reduce the number of print subscriptions while planning to increase the number of e-journal subscriptions” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012).

What will happen to publishers?

With libraries purchasing more online resources, publishers are going to find that they are not bringing in as much business as they once did. “As funds and revenues tighten, smaller publishers will continue to be bought by larger ones, so consolidation in the industry will continue” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). When smaller publishers are bought out, then there will not be as many companies to compete with prices. These larger companies will be able to set prices and get what they are asking because there will not be as much competition.

How is social media affecting serials?

Are you a fan of your home library on Facebook? Do you follow your home library on Twitter? If so, then you are probably utilizing the mobile services that social media sites offer for people on the go. “Context has now become an important part of discovery and brings it to the attention of users: Who has reviewed/recommended/liked/tweeted/bought content” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). By using social media sites, people are able to respond to other users’ comments and information immediately. They can “like” a status or comment on Facebook or they can tweet about something so their followers can see. People can also post links to websites and articles that they find interesting. Other people are more likely to access and look at this information because one of their friends found it to be interesting. As a result, the information and the source get passed around for many people to see. “Current discovery systems rely on users actively searching for information, but social networks could very well change this process and increase the rate of erosion for traditional information containers” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012).

Serials on cell phones

“Mobile devices are becoming more important to serials delivery, with 73 percent of publishers that responded to the 2012 EBSCO survey indicating that they plan to increase access to content via mobile apps” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012). Would you use an application developed for your library to access serials? I think that this is a good idea because how is it any different from people using a computer to access databases. It might take them longer to search and browse but eventually I think that people would get used to using the application.

What affects the cost of serials?

“Any number of factors can impact price changes, including the overall health of the world’s economy, rates for currency exchange, publishing industry trends, and subscription cancellations” (Bosch & Henderson, 2012).

References:

Bosch, S., & Henderson, K. (2012, May 1). Coping with the terrible twins: cost inflation and revenue stagnation are at the heart of pricing ills. Library Journal, 137(8), 28+. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/04/funding/coping-with-the-terrible-twins-periodicals-price-survey-2012/

Impacts of decreased budgets in libraries

By: Lindsay Fricke

According to one survey, “Most libraries have still not recovered from the massive cuts inflicted since the financial crisis of 2008, and when this depressed starting point meets with the rapid evaporation of state aid and the inexorable rise of expenses, then the numbers often translate to stressed staffs, fewer materials, and reduced service hours” (Kelley, 2012).

So what happens when the budgets are decreased?

Kelley spoke with a librarian who said, “The worst impact of the budget cuts has been on the overall employee morale of the organization. With continued decreased funding resulting in a reduction in available service hours, the number of staff continues to decline.” (Kelley, 2012) In addition to this, each staff member is required to take on more responsibilities and work in order to accommodate the low staff number. As a result, libraries are not able to have enough funds to purchase new materials for their collections.

Who is affected by library budget cuts?

The first places that budget cuts are noticeable in are within the staff and the collections at a library. There are fewer workers staffed at the desks and most of the workers only work part-time. Libraries can reduce costs by not paying benefits and hiring nonprofessional staff, such as library assistants, to help in areas where professional librarians used to work. Additionally, the people who come to the library trying to obtain information are also going to be affected by the budget cuts. They come into the library expecting to be able to fully utilize the services offered. However, they will learn that they may only be able to get assistance through staff members because the materials and resources needed might not be available.

Reduced service hours

As a result of budget cuts, many libraries are reducing the amount of time that they are open. Kelley states, “The overall change in the number of weekly open hours per system was down another 2.2 hours over the last year, to an average of 49” (Kelley, 2012). Many libraries are finding that they cannot afford of the costs of staying open from the early morning to the late evening.

How libraries have changed

Here is a look at the percentages of how many libraries are dealing with staffing changes:

What funds are libraries using?

According to Kelley, “State funding is generally not a primary source for public library budgets. Nevertheless, state funding pays for the statewide systems that allow for regional resource sharing, consulting, and professional development.” (Kelley, 2012) Personally, I use MeL for many of the materials that I need for school as well as for my personal use.

How budgets are divided amongst populations

In Kelley’s article, he states, “Budget struggles, whether at the federal, state, or local level, hit larger library systems the hardest” (Kelley, 2010).

Here is the breakdown of budgets according to the population that the library serves:

•  10,000 to 24,999 reported an increase of 2.5%
•  500,000 to 999,999 reported a 2.7% reduction
•  1 million and higher reported a 1.8% reduction

Have you seen changes at your library where staff hours are being reduced? Has the library changed its hours as a result of not being able to afford costs of operating the library? Does your library use non-professionals because librarians take more of the budget due to salaries?

Have you seen any changes within the library that you work at or visit frequently that were discussed in this article? If so, what are some suggestions for libraries help offset the reductions in budgets?

References:

Kelley, M. (2012, January 1) The new normal: library budgets trend downward, though 52 percent expect an increase. Lack of support at state level adds to strain. Library Journal, 137 (1), 37+. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/01/funding/the-new-normal-annual-library-budgets-survey-2012/