The Big Picture

The economic challenges which began in 2008 continued to impact the nation and its citizens throughout 2009. Although these challenges created major service opportunities for public libraries, they also reduced library budgets as local and state governments struggled to cope with revenue downturns.

In 2009, for example, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reduced state aid to public libraries by 20.1% and ended over two decades of reimbursement for ACCESS PA statewide library card transactions. For the Lower Merion Library System (LMLS) this means an annual reduction of over $350,000 in state funding, which is used primarily to purchase library books and technology services.

On the local municipal level, Lower Merion’s Board of Commissioners discussed and debated funding throughout 2009 for all Township services. At present, vacancies in the Township workforce are not being filled, including six positions in the Library System.

To help counteract the state funding reductions, the LMLS Board of Directors voted in December 2009 to increase fines and to re-introduce a small fee for reserve requests. The Board also voted to spend down reserve funds in order to maintain collection and technology service levels in 2010 while deciding on a funding strategy for 2011 and beyond.

On a more positive note, the Township’s Board of Commissioners launched the Ludington Library Renovation in 2009 by awarding bids for the $9.13 million project. Designed to address significant areas of deferred maintenance, ADA accessibility issues, space constriction, technology readiness, and safety concerns, the Ludington project will position the township’s central resource library to meet the demands of the next quarter century.

As all of us struggle to make our way in this challenging time, it’s important to remember that our libraries count on donations from the public to meet essential operating and capital needs. We are there for you, and we ask that you be there for us with gifts to our local library fund drives and to our Capital Campaign, Building for the Future: the Campaign for Lower Merion Libraries.

We should also remember with deep appreciation that throughout 2009 our dedicated staff continued to offer excellent service in spite of having fewer hands to help out. As always, they have my gratitude, appreciation and deepest respect.

Christine Steckel
Director of Libraries
January 2010