In this article, the author presents the results of "Library Journal's" 2010 budget survey. The overall trend in FY10 indicated that 72 percent of survey respondents said their budget had been cut, and 43 percent had staff cuts. Among libraries serving populations above one million, these figures were even more acute, with 86 percent reporting…

This article reports on a 2009 budget survey conducted by "Library Journal" in which a random sample of U.S. public libraries were surveyed via mail or fax in October 2008. Those that answered the survey projected a modest increase in budgets for 2009, just 2%, with less than a 1% increase in funds for materials, a predictable area for cuts. That…

If one wanted to win a library election in 2006, what would have been the mythical perfect referenda? For building referenda, the sweet spot was hit with measures over $10 million, on a ballot sometime between September and December, with no other items on the ballot, in a general election, for a library serving a population under 100,000. For the…

This report marks the third release of library statistics data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2008. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative…

This report marks the second release of library statistics data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It contains data on state library agencies in the 50 states and the District of Columbia for state fiscal year (FY) 2007. The data were collected through the State Library Agencies (StLA) Survey, the product of a cooperative…

Examines reduction of public library services as way to deal with problem of higher costs in time of decreasing revenues and discusses the need to understand current economic situation and relationship between public library support and economic prosperity. Economic theories, stagflation, individual prosperity, and ways to plan for austerity are…

Review of the status of public library user fees highlights arguments against fees (discrimination against poorer elements of society; libraries provide services of value to society as whole and justify public financing); efficient allocation of resources; situation in Canadian province of Saskatchewan; and the typical Canadian library user. (17…

This document provides information on applying for LSTA grants. LSTA is administered at the federal level by an independent Institute of Museum and Library Services, and at the state level by the California State Library. This guide includes a brief introduction followed by general information on: administration; eligibility; procedure; duration;…

Considers role of states as middlemen between federal government and local public libraries in administration of Library Services and Construction Act funds. An audit of Illinois state library agencies, 1970 federal mandates, state control of federal funds, and state library agencies' use of funds are discussed. Eight references are cited. (EJS)

Based primarily on identified needs for library and information services for the citizens of Alabama, the goals of the five-year program described in this report are stated as follows: (1) to ensure the basic minimums of library and information resources and services adequate to meet the needs of the citizens of Alabama, (2) to strengthen the…

This report describes the methods and presents the results of a study undertaken to analyze the distribution of benefits from state, federal, and local funding within the Texas Library System during the 1980 fiscal year. The background of the study is described and a list of definitions for terms and acronyms used in the report is provided. The…

Reviews the factors that tend to limit youth services budgets in public libraries, and discusses the need to collect relevant data on the use of libraries by children and adolescents to justify financial support of youth services. Strategies for collecting such data are outlined and appropriate resource allocation is discussed. (CLB)

Discusses how libraries can apply for funding for youth services in libraries. Describes the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding. Presents examples from four states of recently funding LSTA youth projects. Appendices list funding resources on the Web and print resources on funding. (AEF)

Presents the results of a study conducted to determine the allocation of general revenue sharing funds to libraries from 1973 through 1977 and to estimate the impact of these funds on library budgets around the country. Data are summarized in 6 tables and a reference list is included. (Author/JL)

This report on the work of the Library Committee of the Capitol Consortium for Continuing Higher Education, one of six regional Consortia in Virginia, focuses on cooperative projects, including a proposal for a Periodicals in Richmond Area Libraries List. The proposed list, which is judged essential for resource sharing and for continuing…