The Cultural Lifeline to America’s Most Sincere Communities
Rural public libraries are the cultural lifeline to America’s most sincere communities. I subscribe to this self-authored statement because I witness it every day. For more than 13 years I have been immersed in the rural public library experience, and quite honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Last week I was asked to participate in a discussion following Advocacy Day. It was hosted by the NY State Assembly’s Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. We are quite fortunate our local Assemblymember Phil Palmesano serves on this committee. He represents the interests of rural communities, and this is exactly what I was requested to do last Thursday.
The discussion was fantastic! A small group of library leaders from across the state gathered to represent their communities to help assembly members understand the state of 21st century technologies. There was a tremendous contrast between our libraries and those of academic, special, school and suburban/urban public libraries. Other representatives were stunned by the level of services rural libraries provide with such limited resources. They were more amazed by the notion some libraries solely depend on community donations to add new materials to their collections. It was a real eye-opener.
Differences specific to technology included the low number of libraries that provide organized digital literacy classes. Most suburban and urban public libraries have the capacity to extend computer classes 52 weeks per year as opposed to 38% of rural libraries. They were also surprised to learn only 46% of STLS libraries own a laptop-projector configuration for public presentations, or that 66% of libraries maintain a website. Standard Internet connectivity of 10Mbps x 1Mbps proved astonishing as well.
Despite the drastic divide between rural and urban technology offerings, participants were highly impressed with rural library capabilities to keep community members connected. The average number of public terminals in STLS library outlets is 4, or .0013 per 280,000 residents. This figure is very solid in terms of outreach. Moreover, wireless Internet is utilized 80,386 times annually and public computers 217,854 times based on 2014 figures. This means each public computer receives 582 sessions per year. Rural libraries are unmistakably an important part of information infrastructure.
One last element leaders were impressed with were the efficiencies realized through member library and library system cooperation. At the moment, only 10% of STLS libraries employ an in-house IT technician. This figure was probably the most alarming taking into account the complexity of our library system’s infrastructure.
STLS’ cooperative library system empowers member libraries to manage 600 plus networked computers, highly discounted Internet connection through ERate funding, wireless Internet at 48 separate locations, an ILS database containing 1.6 million materials and 200,000 plus patron records, servers to support email communications for hundreds of library staff, website hosting, technology training and a list of many other services to support the demand for 21st century technologies.
It was an absolute honor to serve as a positive voice for all of New York State’s rural libraries. In addition to shedding light on the amazing work of our librarians, trustees and volunteers, participants helped assembly members understand library funding has yet to be adjusted for our Information Revolution.
There needs to be a one-time bump, which remains, to offset the moment when Internet connectivity became a core component of our business model. Rural libraries will always be at a tremendous disadvantage until this adjustment takes place. In the meantime, our STLS libraries will continue do to what they have always done… remain a vibrant source of cultural enlightenment to America’s most genuine community members.
As always, thank you for your continued support and many efforts. Have a great March weekend! Feel free to call or write anytime.
Kindest Regards,
Brian Hildreth, Executive Director
Southern Tier Library System
Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner
Read past Friday Follow-ups: http://www.stls.org/blog
