how are you handling the new normal?
DESCRIPTION
State Advisory Council on Libraries Two-Year Survey of budgets in this "new normal"TRANSCRIPT
How are you handling the new normal?
Presentation by State Advisory Council on Libraries (SACL)
Thursday, October 6, 2011with Merrillene Wood, Council Chair & Steve Fosselman,
Council Member
& with thanks to Kate Borchman Hassebrook, Council Member and Kathryn Brockmeier, Nebraska Library Commission Research Analyst for their assistance
State Advisory Council on Libraries Mission
The Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries is established by the Nebraska Library Commission to advise the Commission on statewide library development and planning. In addition, the Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries will be utilized for:
1. Advice and planning on such other matters on which the Commission may seek counsel.
2. Review and evaluation of interlibrary cooperative and resource sharing plans and programs.
3. Development, review and evaluation of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Plan, consisting of the Basic State Plan, Annual Program, and Long Range Plan.
The membership of the State Advisory Council on Libraries "shall be broadly representative of the public, school, academic, special and institutional libraries, and libraries serving the
handicapped, in the State and of persons using such libraries, including disadvantaged persons within the state," and geographic areas of the state.
For more information about SACL, go to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stadv/
SACL discussion throughout early 2010
• Tough economic times had brought about the phrase “the new normal”.
• Governing bodies were increasingly incorporating program prioritization budgeting techniques instead of across the board cuts.
• Many library budgets were being adversely affected not only nationwide but in Nebraska
July 2010 – SACL decided to initiate a “Program Prioritization, Budgeting and a New Normal Survey Approach”
conducted by Steve Fosselman, SACL Chair at the time, with assistance from Merrillene Wood, Kate Borchman Hassebrook, Council Member and Kathryn
Brockmeier
Resetting "Normal“, Roy Tennant’s blog entry March 19, 2010
… new "normal" for libraries the world over, although more acutely in some areas than others. These are changes that will be with
us for many years to come, and I would suggest that some changes are permanent.
http://blog.libraryjournal.com/tennantdigitallibraries/2010/03/19/resetting-normal/
We will have fewer staff.
People are usually the single biggest part of any library budget, and are often the only budget item large enough to absorb major cutbacks. We are unfortunately experiencing this right now.
The staff we have will be focused on essential activities.
What’s essential? What isn’t? There’s the rub. What librarians think is essential may not be congruent with what others think is essential. As we are increasingly inspected by those who provide our support, we will find it necessary to pay attention to what our users and funders think is essential.
Technology will continue to be used to create additional efficiencies.
We have gained a tremendous number of internal efficiencies through automation, although most of those efficiencies were simply plowed back into other services. However, I believe a key difference this time is that the efficiencies will not be plowed back into the organization, they will be necessary to deal with decreased levels of support.
Services and open hours will be cut.
This is, of course, already happening. With fewer staff it becomes dificult to stay open as many hours as you had before.
Locations will be consolidated.
Again, in many locales this is already happening.
The fiscal pressures that libraries are under will transform the library systems marketplace.
Pressures on vendors to cut prices will be difficult to ignore. They will likely include libraries going to open source systems and paying a vendor only for support as well as new offerings that exert downward price pressure on the market.
http://www.ors.ala.org/libconnect/2011/06/21/2011-study-released-highlights-%E2%80%9Cnew-normal%E2%80%9D-impacting-service-to-millions/
But Wait! We live in Nebraska!
http://money.cnn.com/news/storysupplement/economy/gapmap/
However …
Just for NE public libraries, comparing 2009-10 operating expenditures to the previous year:
11+% lower = 206-10% lower = 201-5% lower = 28Same = 9
38% lower or same
1-5% higher = 516-10% higher = 3511+% higher = 42
Just a quick look at data from http://www.nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/ - comparing only those libraries having stats for both years
And …
Just for NE public libraries, comparing 2009-10 materials expenditures to the previous year:
11+% lower = 416-10% lower = 241-5% lower = 31Same = 15
55% lower or same
1-5% higher = 276-10% higher = 2211+% higher = 52
Just a quick look at data from http://www.nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/ - comparing only those libraries having stats for both years
So we set out on a two-year mission to survey the impact of the “new normal” in
Nebraska Libraries• budgets
• staffing & volunteers• materials budgets
• hours • accreditation standing• program priorities
• prospects for the future• and more
0 Public School Academic Community College
Special Institutional0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
7
134127
228 11 6
2010 Survey - Library Type
Public
School
4+ Yea
r Colle
ge
Community Colle
ge
Speci
al
Institutional
Other (plea
se sp
ecify)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120101
63
10 5 5 4 2
2011 Survey - Library Type
Less t
han 500
500 – 999
1,000 - 1,499
1,500 - 2,499
2,500 - 4,999
5,000 - 9,999
10,000 - 49,999
50,000 and ab
oveOther
(blank)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120 114
76
41
26
12 16 21
3 4
2010 Survey - Service Population
Less t
han 500
500 - 999
1,000 - 1,499
1,500 - 2,499
2,500 - 4,999
5,000 - 9,999
10,000 - 49,999
50,000 and ab
ove
Other (plea
se sp
ecify)
No resp
onse0
1020304050607080
68
33
1825
919
13
1 1 3
2011 Survey - Service Population
11+% lower
6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
6 - 10% higher
11+% higher
(blank)0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1623
45
153
62
5 4
2011 total library budgetcompared 2010 budget
11+% lo
wer
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
6 - 10% high
er
11+% high
er
No resp
onse0
102030405060708090
100
10 10
26
89
38
5 210
2012 total library budgetcompared 2011 budget
11+% lower 6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
11+% higher
(blank)0
50
100
150
200
250
300
15 12 20
252
7 2
2011 staffing levels compared to 2010 staffing levels
11+% lo
wer
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
11+% high
er
No resp
onse0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
155 12
150
3 2 3
2012 staffing levels compared to 2011 staffing levels
Much lower Lower Same Higher Much higher (blank)0
50
100
150
200
250
516
224
37
3
2011 use of volunteers/Friends for library tasks compared to 2010
Much lower Lower Same Higher Much higher No response0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
2 5
134
20
3
26
2012 use of volunteers/Friends for library tasks compared to 2011
11+% lower
6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
6 - 10% higher
11+% higher
(blank)0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
2114
52
165
41
7 6
2011 budget for books and other ma-terials compared to 2010
11+% lo
wer
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
6 - 10% high
er
11+% high
er
No resp
onse0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2012 budget for books and other mate-rials compared to 2011
11+% less 6 - 10% less
1 - 5% less
Same 1 - 5% more
6 - 10% more
11+% more
(blank)0
50
100
150
200
250
300
3 2 12
275
13 5 1
2011 library hours compared to 2010
11+% le
ss
6 - 10% le
ss
1 - 5% le
ssSa
me
1 - 5% m
ore
6 - 10% m
ore
11+% m
ore
No resp
onse0
20406080
100120140160180
2 3 9
166
6 1 1 2
2012 library hours compared to 2011
Much worse Worse Same Better Much better (blank)0
50
100
150
200
250
326
199
30
1
2010 Survey - Library budget this year vs. other departments of parent orga-
nization
Much worse Worse Same Better Much better No response0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
5
22
129
17
116
2011 Survey - Library budget this year vs. other departments of parent organiza-
tion
11+% lower 6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
6 - 10% higher
(blank)0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
5
25
61
133
34
1
2010 Survey - Best guess for overall budget outcome next year
11+% lo
wer
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
6 - 10% high
er
No resp
onse0
102030405060708090
100
4 8
38
90
31
316
2011 Survey - Best guess for overall budget outcome next year
Yes No N/A No response0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
77
18
80
15
2011 Survey Only - Will still qualify for state aid as a result of budget
Focusing in on public libraries (full report will have other breakdowns)
Less t
han 500
500 - 999
1,000 - 1,499
1,500 - 2,499
2,500 - 4,999
5,000 - 9,999
10,000 - 49,999
50,000 and ab
ove
Other (plea
se sp
ecify)
No resp
onse05
1015202530
25
19
11 13
6
13 11
1 1 1
2011 Survey - Service Population
11+% lo
wer
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
6 - 10% high
er
11+% high
er
No resp
onse0
10
20
30
40
3 511
41
30
4 25
2012 total library budgetcompared 2011 budget
Less t
han 500
500 – 999
1,000 - 1,499
1,500 - 2,499
2,500 - 4,999
5,000 - 9,999
10,000 - 49,999
50,000 and ab
ove05
101520253035
2833
26
14
6
13 12
2
2010 Survey - Service Popula-tion
11+% lower
6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
6 - 10% higher
(blank)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
3 6
21
53
45
3
2011 total library budgetcompared 2010 budget
Focusing in on public libraries (full report will have other breakdowns)
11+% lower
6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
6 - 10% higher
11+% higher
(blank)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
81
24
62
28
61
2011 budget for books and other materials compared to 2010
6 - 10% lower
1 - 5% lower
Same 1 - 5% higher
6 - 10% higher
(blank)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
4
26
61
23
1
2010 Survey - Best guess for overall budget outcome next
year
11+% lo
wer
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
6 - 10% high
er
11+% high
er
No resp
onse0
102030405060
1 1
18
55
18
3 1 4
2012 budget for books and other materials compared to 2011
6 - 10% lo
wer
1 - 5% lo
werSa
me
1 - 5% high
er
6 - 10% high
er
No resp
onse0
102030405060
412
50
24
38
2011 Survey - Best guess for overall budget outcome next
year
Focusing in on public libraries (full report will have other breakdowns)
Yes No N/A No response0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
68
1014
9
2011 Survey Only - Will still qualify for state aid as a result of budget
2010 and 2011 Major Themes to Questions about Not Meeting
Accreditation Measures
• % of Materials• hours• local government maintenance of effort• staffing levels / accredited staff• Rule 10 for schools
2010 Survey – Services Eliminated (not asked in 2011)
Bookmobile books by mail check out of cassettes Databases Library paras and their time with students Library skills classes for students marking books "new“ (although we keep the new
books on a display table) monthly newsletter Preschool reading programs print periodicals Reading Buddies
Regional Newspaper Subscriptions (KC Star, Chicago Sun-Times, etc.) some academic database services Some student
projects Space for groups in the library consolitated leisure library for residents and staff research library Summer
Reading VHS collection Wall Street Journal subscription Web Site special features
2010 – Services Reduced (not asked 2011)Acquisitions adult and teen book clubs adult services advertisements in
local paper amount of testing, pull-out for high ability students Audio Cassettes - Story Hour author visits; technology training book club book purchases books, audio books,
dvds children’s programs collaboration with teachers Community outreach,
nonresident free access (is fee now) standing order book sets duplicates, out of date
items we are considering reducing electronic reserves lamination/production Library classes
magazines VHS (AV), materials in general media van delivery nonfiction offerings Online-Database Access Outdated formats (audio
cassettes) new equipment Textbooks Purchased less expensive databases reference
reference collections Saturday hours by 2 School age kids reading programs Senior Book Club Small print fiction reference material,
physical and online Some staff services -- not enough time or help staffing at each of the
elementary libraries. Sunday evening hours
2010 – Services Expanded (not asked 2011)electronic databases web resources online training accessibility to early
chapter books/series story time Adult education classes after school programs afterschool homework assistance mobile laptop cart Audiobook offerings Bibliographic
Instruction Book bag books book discussion groups book talks technology c hildren's services and computer classes Children's summer program collaborative teaching Computer
classes computer labs computers Copying Services for students hours periodicals digital
publishing services groups meeting at the library Facebook
Genealogical service and equipment Instant message reference Inter-Library Loan books in Spanish more storytimes Movie Nights, Summer
Reading Program Nebraska overdrive one-on-one reference/research assistance
program Golden Sower program new computer for public access internet readers advisory Reading Rewards Program Research classes Rotating DVDs Scrabble & Stichin' Day Spanish language computer class ……
2010 Survey - If your library has prioritized its services, how would you list them from most
essential to least (not asked 2011)
Generally stated, high priorities are:• customer service• new books and bestsellers, dvd’s …• internet and computers• databases• youth services• staffing and hours
Back to Roy Tennant’s blog entry:
If we find ways to refocus our efforts on where we really add value, and on adding value that our users and funders actually value instead of what we think they
should, then this could presage a new golden age for libraries... It will not be easy, nor obvious what needs
to be done. But it has already begun and the sooner we take control over it, and guide our operations down to the new normal with as much of our added value intact as we can manage, the more likely it will be that we will find the new normal to acceptable.
Two general observations so far:
Nebraska IS better off than many other states, and some locales have been able to handle the “new normal” better than others – still, it is happening.
For those most impacted, controlling the advance of the “new normal” may not be an option, but we can control how we guide our operations down to the new normal with as much of our added value intact as we can manage.
Discussion of Your Observations and Ways You Are Guiding Your Library Through the “New Normal”
Including important factors such as:
• technology• process realignment• staff culture/environment• innovation• renewal, regeneration• radical transformation• NLC/NLA/NEMA et al
• strategic planning• advocacy• program prioritization• patron satisfaction• usage, ROI etc.• collaboration• stories
http://willmanley.com/2011/09/12/will-unwound-554-beware-the-new-normal/
http://quartz.syr.edu/rdlankes/Presentations/2011/NELA.pdf
R. David Lankes, the Director of the Information Institute and the library science program atSyracuse University, believes that what might kill ourprofession is not ebooks, Amazon or Google, but a lack of imagination. We must envision a bright future for librarians and the communities they serve, then fight to make that vision a reality. We need a new activist librarianship focused on solving the grand challenges of our communities. Without action we will kill librarianship. – New England Library Association Annual Conference, October 2, 2011
http://www.mercurynews.com/cambrian/ci_18958091?nclick_check=1
http://www.sjpl.org/innovation
We must go further. We must go deeper into our communities. We must bring radical positive change for our members. They are drowning in overpriced mortgages, our students are entering the job market with crippling academic debt, our children are struggling with under-performing schools.
And we must take a deep long look at ourselves. How can we expect radical positive change in our communities if we are unwilling to change ourselves? We must put every function, every budget item, every assumption under the microscope. We do this not to find efficiencies or downsize or "do more with less," but to see if they meet the test of our noble and radical mission.
http://vimeo.com/23348812
A Few More Resources:•"2011 Study released; highlights “new normal” impacting service to millions" http://www.ors.ala.org/libconnect/2011/06/21/2011-study-released-highlights-%E2%80%9Cnew-normal%E2%80%9D-impacting-service-to-millions/•“Tough Times and Eight Ways to Deal with Them” by James LaRue, American Libraries, December 29, 2009 http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/12292009/tough-times-and-eight-ways-deal-them •"Sanctuary amid the stacks", Los Angeles Times March 6, 2011 http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/06/opinion/la-oe-iyer-libraries-20110306•"The State of America's Libraries" http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries2011/index.cfm•"Memo to Libraries: Change or Die" Posted on July 13, 2011 by Jim Sweeney http://www.sweeneypr.com/memo-to-libraries-change-or-die/•"The New Normal: The Simmering Challenge Facing Librarians" Publishers Weekly June 20, 2011 http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/trade-shows-events/article/47649-the-new-normal-the-simmering-challenge-facing-librarians.html?page=1 •http://savelibraries.org/•http://www.libraryinnovation.org/•Local Government and Public Library Partnership Initiative (ICMA) http://icma.org/en/Page/884/Local_Government_and_Public_Library_Partnership_Initiative
And a full report of SACL’s two year study will be published by November 2011 at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stadv/
A Few Patterns for the Future
http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2010/08/03/oclc-indispensable-database-collaborative-or-social-media-prelude/
And what if …
Nebraska was not only known for its BIG RED …
But for PLAID and other statewide library
development patterns?
just a crazy idea from Steve Fosselman
P ublic
L ibrary
A nticipation
I nnovation &
D rive