Libraries - a dollars and 'sense' investment

By Marilyn Warlick

For the Salisbury Post

During tough times, investing in our libraries helps build a sustainable community. According to the American Library Association, "While many community dynamics are at work, three are particularly important to building healthy and prosperous communities over the long term: economy, ecology, and equity — the three E's."

"Economy is the management and use of resources to meet household and community needs." Public libraries are a sound investment with excellent return for the money invested.

Did you know that library services in Rowan County cost an average $22.17 per person? Our library represents a sound economic investment. A quick look on the Internet reveals several cities and states are catching onto this reality of libraries as a sound economic investment in tough times:

- Seattle, Wa.: Visits to the new public library have increased King County tourism. Increased tourism of 1 percent yields $1 billion in new economic activity statewide over 25 years.

- In Florida, for every dollar of public support spent on public libraries, income or wages increases by $12.66, and returned $6.54 for every dollar invested.

- In South Carolina, the total direct and indirect return on investment for every $1 spent on the state's public libraries by South Carolina state and local governments is $4.48 — nearly 350 percent.

Libraries are among the most effective of all public services, serving more than two-thirds of the public with less than 2 percent of all tax dollars. In Rowan County, circulation has grown significantly in the past five years. Most of this growth occurred in the last two years, while library budgets have been restricted.

"Ecology is the pattern of relationships between living things and their environment." Library services help people in our community find work, learn new skills, pursue educational opportunities, and manage the stress of diminished income.

In fact, as more and more Americans look for employment, libraries are helping level the playing field for job seekers. Only 44 percent of the top 100 U.S. retailers accepted in-store paper applications. Our library reports: last year library customers logged nearly 118,000 one-hour computer sessions. A large number of these hours included staff assistance in providing guidance and training for job searches, along with resume writing and interviewing, job-search resources, and connections with outside agencies that offer training and job placement. Plus, free access to books and online resources help support entrepreneurship and retraining.

The U.S. Census reports that only 61.8 percent of households have a computer and 54.7 percent have Internet access. This means millions of teens, mostly from low socioeconomic households, must rely on school and public libraries for computers and access to the Internet. Using library computers, teens complete homework assignments, investigate college and career opportunities and connect with potential employers. They apply for jobs, find internships, create and post resumes, connect with mentors and gain hands-on computer skills training.

Libraries can also influence community safety. One of the most dangerous times of the day for young people is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Public libraries provide teens with a constructive place to go during these hours, where teens can organize and participate in supervised recreational and educational activities. Teens rely on the library as a place to explore and expand their interests, to pursue school-related studies and research projects, and expand their reading interests through periodicals and interactive learning tools.

"Equity is fairness. Ideally everyone in a community shares in its well-being." Many people in our community rely on the public library for day-to-day needs for a meaningful lifestyle with minimal resources. Libraries can increase a sense of self worth, as well as help increase literacy. "There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between children's services in public libraries and early reading success at school," according to the American Library Association.

"Libraries are America's great information equalizers" — the only place people of all ages and backgrounds can find and freely use such a diversity of resources, along with the expert guidance of librarians. During times of economic downturn, libraries see more users because people cut back on entertainment. People are able to rent movies for free and check out CDs, use databases and download audio books.

As our choices become increasingly difficult, let's keep our eye on building economically sound communities, with stable relationships, supporting equality in accessing life's opportunities.

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Marilyn Warlick is vice chair for the Rowan County Library Board.