Libraries stay current, serve community needs

Some argue that the library is an antiquated institution, but a visit to any of the Anchorage Public Library's six locations demonstrates that our library is a center for community life. Our library is helping people find jobs, enhancing digital literacy, supporting education, providing access to information, promoting early literacy and connecting communities. It is critical that we maintain and grow this great resource for the future health of our community.

The current proposed library budget will mean cuts to Anchorage Public Library (APL) services. Fortunately, the people of Anchorage have spoken. During the August community budget dialogues, the majority spoke out in favor of maintaining current service levels and sparing departments with small budgets from further cuts. The entire APL budget currently represents only 1.8 percent of the municipal budget.

The Library Advisory Board, the Advocacy Committee of the Anchorage Library Foundation and Friends of the Library oppose the proposed closure of the Samson-Dimond Branch Library. The Samson-Dimond Branch Library serves a vital role as a job center, computer lab, community destination and classroom, as well as a portal to traditional library services. Located in the Dimond Center, which is well-served by the People Mover system, the Samson-Dimond branch also supports and benefits surrounding businesses and nearby residential areas (40,000 Anchorage residents could lose their branch library).

The proposed cuts are only the latest in a series of big hits to our library. The Library Community Plan, which was completed in January 2010, found that our Anchorage Public Library is in a struggle for survival. The library has seen deep budget cuts during "bust" years, but little restoration during "boom" years. While the municipality's budget has nearly doubled over the past 10 years, the library's portion has decreased from a high of 4 percent of the MOA budget in 1985 to today's low of 1.8 percent. We have reached the point where further reductions will have serious, negative impacts to library services and our community.

Library use continues to rise each year. There are 172,608 cardholders (65 percent of the population). This has grown from 80,002 cardholders (32 percent of the population) when Loussac opened in 1986. APL circulates over 1.5 million items a year; and with over 870,000 visits a year our library attendance tops other Anchorage facilities. At last count, the APL partnered with over 100 community organizations and local businesses to put on exciting classes and events for all ages.

However, despite record-high usage, staffing levels and funding lag far behind peer libraries across the country. Anchorage Public Library already operates on an extremely efficient, small-government model and has struggled to maintain service levels on a steadily decreasing budget. The APL is severely under supported for a community of our size. Compared with other similar-sized cities we have 40 percent fewer full-time staff, 22 percent less money spent on new library materials, and four fewer branch libraries. Approximately 32 percent of APL's budget goes to municipal overhead (inter-government charges).

Further cuts to the budget will have significant negative impacts on the library, including reduced locations, reduced hours of operation, reduced programming and a significant reduction in the purchase of new books, movies and e-books.

Adequately funding our library makes good financial sense, too. A study by the Institute of Social and Economic Research at UAA found that for every $1 in municipal support, the library returns up to $2.46 in economic benefits to the community.

The Library Advocacy Committee recommends that the mayor and Assembly follow the recommendations of the community budget dialogues and maintain the library at its current level of service. The Assembly begins debate on the budget on Tuesday. They have the opportunity to restore funding to keep a full-service Samson-Dimond Library and include sufficient funds to support library services throughout the system. If you agree, I'm sure the Assembly and mayor would like to hear from you.

Mary Rasmussen is board member of the Anchorage Library Foundation and Friends of the Library and chair of the Joint Library Advocacy Committee.