Here’s What We Know About Libraries...and What Your Local & County Officials Need to Know

Need some talking points for your 2010 budget development? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Libraries are essential to economic recovery.

Libraries provide valuable materials, programs, and services to get people back on their feet and skilled staff to help them find what they need.
· Resources to learn about resume writing, and how to complete job application forms
· Resources to learn financial management
· Resources to help create small businesses
· Resources to learn about health, nutrition and wellness activities
· Online databases that provide valuable information for businesses
· Computers and Internet access for applying for jobs online
· Computers and Internet access for virtual classes and training
· Computer training on email, searching, work processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and more software programs
· Free email access to apply and receive correspondence about jobs
· Assistance in setting up free email accounts
· Resume writing software and assistance
· Referrals to agencies that provide loans, food, shelter and other essentials
· Meeting places for businesses to conduct interviews and group meetings
· Meeting places for tutors and students
· Staff to proctor exams for correspondence classes, virtual universities, and job qualification tests
· Practice tests, both print and online

2. Libraries are models of cost-efficient operations.
For years, libraries have set the standard for working together, sharing resources, and creating efficiencies – always with an eye to enhancing customer service and making the best use of taxpayers’ dollars. The examples are numerous:
· Shared pulic access computer systems
· Access to online databases
· Access to materials in digital formats
· Interlibrary loan: physical delivery of materials
· Interlibrary loan: document delivery
· Electronic reference services (Instant messaging/chat)
· Long-range planning (e.g., Council of Libraries and Network Development report on future of Wisconsin libraries)
· Continuing education
· Special needs (e.g., Regional Library for Blind & Physically Handicapped)

3. Libraries are experiencing increased demands for service.
The current economic climate has made libraries an even more vital part of their communities; they’re busier than ever. It’s a national phenomenon.

Key quote*: "Whenever you have tough economic times, public libraries are a place people go because they have no other alternatives or because they know they are going to get the kind of powerful information that will make a difference in their lives."
--Kristin McDonough, Director of the Science/Industry/Business Library of the New York Public Library.

“Frugal readers drive up library circulation 30%.” Chicago Sun-Times, 6/28/2009.
“Downturn Puts New Stresses on Libraries”. The New York Times, 4/1/2009.
“Libraries Stressed, Yet Needed More Than Ever.” The Denver Post, 3/22/2009.
*“Hard Economic Times a Boon for Libraries. CNN.com, 2/28/2009.
“In Slumping Economy, Library Use Shoots Up”. Greater Milwaukee Today, 2/10/2009.
"Libraries many benefits rediscovered in hard economic times". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/22/2009.
"Folks Are Flocking to the Library, a Cozy Place to Look for a Job". Wall Street Journal, 1/15/2009.
"Library use up with economy drop." Racine Journal Times, 1/4/2009.
“Check it out: As the economy sags, library use is booming.” The Boston Globe, 1/4/2009.
"As economy goes down, traffic at the library goes up." Wisconsin State Journal, 1/1/2009.







Wisconsin Library Association 5250 East Terrace Drive, Suite A1 Madison, WI 53718Telephone: 608.245.3640 On the web at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/

Free DVDs and Electric Meter from Alliant Energy

Times are tough right now, and everyone is looking for ways to save money – including your library patrons. Give them the resources they need to help make it through with Alliant Energy’s PowerHouse TV series – the energy-saving, money-saving program that shows homeowners how to make the most of their energy usage and save money.

The complete set of 51 PowerHouse episodes on DVD is now available to libraries in the Alliant Energy service territory at no charge. Also available for free – a portable electric meter to help patrons find out how much electronic appliances and devices cost to operate.

For the last thirteen years, Alliant Energy’s PowerHouse television show has given homeowners practical advice on a wide variety of energy-related topics, including energy efficiency, conservation, safety and the environment. The show focuses on do-it-yourself projects, with demonstrations of simple improvements that any homeowner can tackle.

Once you sign up to receive your free PowerHouse DVDs, we will send you the entire collection of PowerHouse DVDs, with each DVD containing about six episodes. You will also receive the new episodes of PowerHouse as they become available. Again, there is no charge for this service.

If you choose to receive the free portable electric meter, we will send you the meter, along with a laminated instructional card. This easy-to-use device – which is a bit larger than a deck of cards – will be helpful to patrons, who can check it out for home use to help control electricity costs.

To receive your free PowerHouse DVD library and/or the free portable electric meter, simply fill out our online form. If you have questions about this free offer, please call 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268).