Focusing on Trends of Rural and Small Libraries _______________________ State Library of Kansas

1
Focusing on Trends of Rural and Small
Libraries_______________________State Library
of Kansas

• Bernard Vavrek, Department of Library Science,
  Clarion University
• vavrek_at_clarion.edu
• October 4, 2006

2
Where in the world is Clarion, PA?

• 85 miles northeast of Pittsburgh
• Exit 62, Interstate 80
• Near Cook Forest State Park
• Community of 6,000
• An additional 6,000 students

3
Clarion University began in 1867

• Approximately 6,000 students
• 80 academic programs
• Department of Library Science started in 1937
• Accredited by ALA since 1976

4
Modes of educational delivery via Clarion
University

• Face to face
• Online using Blackboard software
• Combination of both F2F and online
• Complete online masters degree

5
Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship (CSRL)

• Started in 1978
• Educational, research, rah-rah
• Publishes Rural Libraries and Bookmobiles and
  Outreach Services.
• www.clarion.edu/rural

6
Virtual library association supported by the CSRL

• Association of Rural and Small Libraries
  http//arsl.clarion.edu
• Please join on complimentary basis.
• Otherwise, dues is 39/year for each.

7
Assignment is to identify trends affecting rural
and small libraries.

• Depending on the section of the country, rural
  places are disappearing as exurbanization takes
  place.
• Rural has morphed into country.
• Where all the women are strong, the men
  good-looking, and the children are above average.

8
Rural places include those that are

• Farming
• Industrial
• Ranch
• Resort
• Extractive
• College/university
• Seats of government
• New housing developments

9
Defining rural, always tricky.

• In Canada, e.g., rural consists of places of
  fewer than 1,000 people.
• In US, urban starts at 2,500 folks.
• Recently, in the US, micropolitan has been
  introduced to identify towns of fewer than
  10,000.
• Today, ruralnonmetroplitan

10
And the numbers show

• That most Americans live in urban suburban
  places.
• The rural population is about 49 million.
• PA has the largest rural population with about 4
  million.
• Largest growth by Hispanics, 25

11
Here come the trends

• The following are some factors that will
  influence libraries at least for the next couple
  of years.
• The list is not exhaustive.

12
1. The war in Iraq

• The war in Iraq will continue to distract the
  federal government and cause discord regardless
  of what party is in power.
• Needed domestic resources will be spent elsewhere.

13
2. The cost of gasoline, etc.

• Energy prices, natural gas, oil, are hanging in
  the balance of world events.
• Libraries, with even sustainable budgets, could
  be negatively affected.
• Libraries should budget for possible increases.

14
3. Influx of new Americans

• Whether documented or not, some libraries are
  facing resistance to providing services for those
  not paying local taxes.
• Case in Tennessee, last week, illustrates this
  and is not alone.
• Library staff has to know users and nonusers
  and provide relevant services.

15
4. Its all in the local economy

• Few towns will attract Honda plants.
• Places that are growing will probably continue,
  with the reverse being true.
• For the most part, it is in the hands of the
  community, itself.
• Public library has to participate and support
  economic development.

16
5. Local agencies competing for

• Based on economy and number of palms
  outstretched, library will have continuingif not
  escalating challenge, getting its fair share of
  the tax monies.
• Its community role will make the difference.

17
6. Looking for new roles

• Libraries should look for new rolesnot
  necessarily additional ones.
• How about day care service?
• How about being Americas literacy provider?
• New roles demand new training, etc.

18
7. Service will make the difference

• Public libraries will live or die by the quality
  of service provided.
• Public has raised expectations even with limited
  financial support.
• And they will want relevant services.
• So find out what these are.

19
8. Dont take relevance for granted

• Public library continues to be considered
  relevant institution and staff is considered
  trustworthy, but it will continue to take daily
  efforts to sustain these.
• Marketing continues to be misunderstood. It is a
  process not only items in the newspaper.

20
9. Information everywhere

• Challenge for the library is to niche itself
  for all to see. First, it has to find out how it
  is perceived, now.
• Today, competing information resources are as
  close as the cell phone.
• Planning for the future has become even more
  critical--even with diminished resources.

21
10. Cooperation

• In places where rural and urban spaces are mixed
  together, need for mutual dialog.
• The above is very true also with other libraries
  if any and town agencies and associations.
• Dont forget about playing nice with
  trustees/library boards.

22
11. Life after Bill Melinda Gates

• While the Gates Foundation continues to find ways
  to support the tech habit of libraries, one
  should not count on this for the future.
• To insure support, larger units of action are
  necessary resulting in community technology plans
  with the library at the center.

23
11. Continued

• Staff has to work together to insure that tech is
  applied in relevant ways or it may actually
  contribute to the librarys isolation.
• But the staff should not be the pit crew for the
  Internet.
• And remember that other Web sites, etc., are only
  a click away.

24
12. Staff development is key

• The greatest asset of the library is its staff.
• Renewed effort to upgrade education and skills.
• Library must budget for this.
• Growing online services will help.
• Dont forget to thank volunteers.

25
12. Continued

• While thinking of staff, libraries may soon close
  their doors because of a lack of suitable staff.
• Need to work at all levels to raise
  education/training, and particularly salaries.

26
13. Keeping a smiley face

• Despite challenges library community has
  maintained optimism.
• But, in some places, the smiley faces are getting
  tired.
• Society is fortunate that dedicated library
  staff, volunteers, and others involved with the
  library are so committed to sustainability.

27
The end

• Thanks to Cindi Hickey and the State Library of
  Kansas, via OPAL, for the opportunity of visiting
  with you.