April 5, 2007

Dear City Council Member:

As you begin making decisions about the FY 2008 Budget I am writing to draw your attention to the Free Library of Phila. The Friends of the Free Library is an independent non-profit whose mission is to strengthen the library system that serves the educational needs of your constituents who volunteer and voice their concerns through Friends Groups. As the Director I have drafted a briefing of library goals and what it will take to achieve them.

The Free Library faces an increasing demand for more information and educational resources daily. For the approx. 41% of Philadelphia's adults and children who are on the wrong side of the digital divide and are without home computers, the library is their sole recourse for accessing information technology. Those of us fortunate enough to have the means and skills rely on the library to help us with the vast number of computer programs that it takes to stay educated, current and competitive. For instance, programs for college and employment searches can elude us without the help of a trained librarian and powerful search engines. In addition to crucial digital information the demand for books, periodicals, DVDs, tapes and programming is growing.

Following the public outcry when faced with shuttered libraries in 2005, City Council made it possible to keep all 53 branch library doors open by breaking a five year hiring freeze with a vote to increase spending for the Library's general operating FY 2006 budget by $3.5 million. We are thankful to those of you who were part of making this happen and to those who were not yet serving I am reaching out to let you know how crucial this city service is.

Please take special note that while adequate staffing (class 100) remains a concern and is often the biggest line-item, the materials budget (class 300) has been flat for ten years at $3,965,500. This is problematic because it means that the money to purchase books, DVDs, tapes, magazines, newspapers and computer programs has not kept up with the rate of inflation. While circulation or the number of items borrowed has been hovering around 6.2 million, debunking the notion that print material will decline in popularity when computer use climbs, the average price of a hardback has jumped from $49.88 to $68.20 in the past decade. Periodical subscriptions were $165 in 1995 and are now $449. The purchasing power required to keep pace due to higher costs and increasing demand has significantly dwindled.

This is why library Friends and patrons complain that their library does not have the children or adult books and other materials that they need, including classic fiction and non-fiction, current math and science books, job readiness and resume guides, art and music books, books and periodicals in a wide variety of foreign languages. On average Friends Groups raise between $75-100,000 per year for library materials through book, bake and garden sales and general support from their members. We are asking you to do your part with a 10% increase, or $396,550 more, to the materials line (class 300) to meet the demand and to keep up with inflation.

Please review the attached document about library goals and needs. Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
Amy Dougherty
Executive Director

Free Library of Philadelphia Goals

2007-08

A brief overview of the Free Library's goals and what is needed to achieve them by the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, an independent non-profit agency composed of volunteers, patrons and advocates who work in our neighborhoods to support and strengthen the educational and cultural opportunities available at libraries.

 

53 Branch Library Goals:

• Access: continue city-wide access with 6 day per week open hours, staffed with 2 accredited librarians at each branch - increase patronage by 10%. Tracking numbers show that library usage significantly declines when hours are reduced.
• Materials: increase print materials in English and in foreign languages, English as a Second Language (ESL) materials to service the increasing number of non-English speaking residents. Increase current level of computer programs
• Librarians: train future librarians with federal grant funding and attract them to Philadelphia to help alleviate the nationwide shortage of degreed library professionals
• Programming: defined by current and ongoing social and educational needs - English as a Second Language workshops and classes for patrons and training for library staff; Crisis of Youth Violence - forums and programs; Books Aloud - training parents and care givers in school readiness for toddlers; LEAP - homework aid for all school age children which is particularly significant for those attending low performing public schools without libraries; Closing the Digital Divide with introductory computer courses at branches.
• Technology: increase capacity with wireless access

Funding Needed:

$40,947,872 for General Operating would authorize:

1. Staffing - increases current actual staffing level by 4
   • FY 07 budget authorized positions - 739; 725 actual filled positions due to 2 yr. test cycle schedule and nationwide shortage of degreed librarians.
   • FY 08 authorized staff positions - 729.
2. Materials - 10% increase or $396,550 in class 300 for materials including books, DVDs, tapes, periodicals to keep pace with inflation and accommodate increased demand