FROM THE EDITOR CAROLYN JO STARKEY
Graphics are hyperlinked to web locations. Simply click to read.
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As the busy conference circuit that consumes the month of June begins to wind down, I have had time to reflect on the June 7th meeting of the ALLA Executive Board. I had the pleasure of talking with ALLA President Emily Tish and other likeminded folks concerning our desire to step up library advocacy efforts in Alabama (see A Conversation with Emily Tish on page 3). Like Emily, I believe that advocacy can be effective when accomplished through the voices of our patrons. Earnest stories of libraries as the heart and change agents of their communities provide daily inspiration that ensures librarians continue the struggle to keep the doors open. It is unfortunate that lawmakers and funding decision-makers do not have columns in their spreadsheets and budgets that automatically tally the full nature of the human condition into their balances and bottom lines. Nevertheless, it is that very lack of sentiment in spreadsheets and budgets that emphasizes the critical need we have to back up the heartfelt voices of our patrons with cold, hard library statistics. In ALA’s recent Libraries Connect Communities: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2011-2012, public access to computers, the Internet, and Internetrelated services in U.S. public libraries, and the impact of library funding
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changes on connectivity, technology deployment, and sustainability was assessed (see links to the left). On the Alabama break out page 46, we see how Alabama public libraries stack up to the national average. While we are certainly at or even ahead of the national average in some areas (notably, homework help and job services), we are way behind in others (funding and ebooks). Our top Internet speeds are glacial in comparison to those in other states as is our total operating expenditures per capita. It is a testament to the tenacity, innovation and capacitybuilding strengths of Alabama librarians that our services are comparable nationally despite our limited funds. By following this ALA report and the accompanying infographic as examples of easily understood visual advocacy, we can effectively disseminate information about our state’s existing library services as well as the future needs of our growing patron base to bolster our legislative efforts. My suggestion is to fill your emails and letters, your reports and publications with statistics. Create clever infographics (the intended topic of my ALLA 2013 presentation next year) with your numbers and plaster your library walls with the results. Be graphic Be vocal. Be loud.
Carolyn ALLA COMMuNICATOR