Editing Public library (section)

==Funding==
[[File:Funding for new larkspur library meter.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Funding meter sign for new library]] Public libraries are funded from a range of sources, the most significant of which is usually local or [[municipal]] funding.<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal Funding|url=http://www.ala.org/advocacy/libfunding/fed|work=Library Funding Updates|publisher=American Library Association|access-date=28 March 2014|quote=While the majority of funding for libraries comes from state and local sources, federal funding provides critical assistance, giving libraries across the country the financial support they need.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403140921/http://www.ala.org/advocacy/libfunding/fed|archive-date=3 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Supporting the library services provided by local authorities and making sure there is a national collection of published material|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-the-library-services-provided-by-local-authorities|publisher=gov.uk|access-date=28 March 2014|date=8 April 2013|quote=Local authorities are responsible for providing a comprehensive and efficient library service.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302122041/https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/supporting-the-library-services-provided-by-local-authorities|archive-date=2 March 2014}}</ref> The citizens who use a local library support it via the city or county government, or through a [[special-purpose district]], which is a local government body that has independent leadership and may levy its own taxes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Library District 101: the library district explained|url=http://denverlibrary.org/library-district|publisher=denverlibrary.org|access-date=28 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328223418/http://denverlibrary.org/library-district|archive-date=28 March 2014}}</ref> Local funding may be supplemented by other government funding. For example, in the United States, the state and federal governments provide supplementary funding for public libraries through [[State aid for libraries|state aid]] programs, the [[Library Services and Technology Act]] (LSTA) and [[E-Rate]]. In England, Local Authorities have a statutory duty to provide residents with a library service as set out in the Local Government Act 1974. State and local governments may also offer cities and counties large grants for library construction or renovation. Private [[philanthropy]] has also had a significant role in the expansion and transformation of library services, and, like other educational institutions, some libraries may be partially funded by an [[Financial endowment|endowment]]. Some proactive librarians have devised alliances with patron and civic groups to supplement their financial situations. Library "friends" groups, activist boards, and well organized book sales also supplement government funding.

Public funding has always been an important part of the definition of a public library. However, with local governments facing financial pressures due to the Great Recession, some libraries have explored ways to supplement public funding. Cafes, bakeries, bookstores, gift shops and similar commercial endeavors are common features of new and urban libraries. The [[Boston Public Library]] has two restaurants and an online store which features reproductions of photographs and artwork.<ref name=tws18novabbb /> Pressure on funding has also led to closer partnerships between libraries, and between libraries and for-profit ventures, in order to sustain the library as a public space while providing business opportunities to the community.<ref name=economist>{{cite news|title=Public libraries: checked out|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21541063|access-date=3 August 2013|newspaper=The Economist|date=3 December 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727102259/http://www.economist.com/node/21541063|archive-date=27 July 2013}}</ref> While still fairly uncommon, [[public-private partnership]]s and "mixed-use" or "dual-use" libraries, which provide services to the public and one or more student populations, are occasionally explored as alternatives. [[Jackson County, Oregon]] (US), closed its entire 15-branch public library system for six months in 2007, reopening with under a public-private partnership and a reduced schedule.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lssi.com/articles/LSSI%20Jackson%20County%20Release.pdf |title=Jackson County's 15 libraries to reopen through innovative public / private partnership with LSSI |access-date=27 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713235253/http://www.lssi.com/articles/LSSI%20Jackson%20County%20Release.pdf |archive-date=13 July 2011 }}</ref> Small fees, such as [[library fine]]s or printing fees, may also offset the cost of providing library services, though fines and fees do not usually have a significant role in library funding. The decline of support from local governments has left libraries compensating at the expense of their patrons. In the article "Waking Up to Advocacy in a New Political Reality for Libraries", as early as the 1980s, libraries began charging fees and accruing fines for services rendered. These services included "printing, notarizing, scanning, photocopying, photo services, library cards for those who live outside of the service area, meeting room usage, document searches, inter-library loan, and e-book checkouts, and among many others".<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jaeger|first=Paul|date=2017|title=Waking Up to Advocacy in a New Political Reality for Libraries|journal=Library Quarterly|volume=87|issue=4|pages=350–368|doi=10.1086/693492|s2cid=158803787}}</ref>

Data shows disparities in private and public libraries, exemplifying that libraries in rural areas possess weaker technological infrastructures and fewer full-time employees holding the title of Librarian. Data shows that funding and service levels differ across and within states. Rural libraries tend to have smaller collections, lower bandwidth rates, less staff and fewer hours of operations. Access to high quality internet may be limited for lower-income individuals, ethnic minorities and rural residents.<ref>Real et al., 2008, Rosser-Hogben, 2004</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=December 2020}} Due to underused libraries in less-advantaged communities, local governments have permanently closed libraries, affecting individuals that are less educated.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bertot|first=John|date=2014|title=Rural Public Libraries and Digital Inclusion: Issues and Challenges|journal=Information Technology & Libraries|via=ezproxy}}</ref>

Although usage of public libraries has increased significantly in recent decades, libraries are under intense financial pressure and scrutiny.<ref>{{cite web|title=An analysis of public library trends|url=http://www.culc.ca/cms_lib/CULC%20Public%20Library%20Trends-es.pdf|publisher=Lumos Research, Inc|access-date=3 August 2013|date=April 2011|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923211756/http://www.culc.ca/cms_lib/CULC%20Public%20Library%20Trends-es.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=IMLS>{{cite web|last=Price|first=Gary|title=New Statistics Available: IMLS Releases New "Public Library Report" (FY 2010)|url=http://www.infodocket.com/2013/01/22/new-statistics-available-imls-releases-new-public-library-report-fy-2010/|work=LJ InfoDocket|date=22 January 2013|publisher=Library Journal|access-date=27 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813081853/http://www.infodocket.com/2013/01/22/new-statistics-available-imls-releases-new-public-library-report-fy-2010/|archive-date=13 August 2013}}</ref> The [[American Library Association]] says media reports it compiled in 2004 showed some $162 million in funding cuts to libraries nationwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ala.org/libraryfunding |title=Library Funding |website=American Library Association |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006162708/http://ala.org/libraryfunding/ |archive-date=6 October 2008}}</ref> In 2009, 40% of states reported a decline in state aid for libraries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/february2009/orscosla.cfm|title=State funding for many public libraries on decline|access-date=15 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605063639/http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/february2009/orscosla.cfm|archive-date=5 June 2011|date=10 February 2009}}</ref> In 2012, Great Britain lost over 200 libraries to budget cuts, part of a general trend of fiscal austerity in Europe.<ref>{{cite news|last=Flood|first=Alison|title=UK lost more than 200 libraries in 2012|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/dec/10/uk-lost-200-libraries-2012|access-date=3 August 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 December 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010015142/http://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/dec/10/uk-lost-200-libraries-2012|archive-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> However, there are signs of stabilization in library funding.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schwartz|first=Meredith|title=The Budget Balancing Act: LJ's Budget Survey Shows Modest Improvement, and Signs of More To Come|url=http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/01/funding/the-budget-balancing-act-library-budgets-show-modest-improvement-and-signs-of-more-to-come/|access-date=30 August 2013|newspaper=Library Journal|date=9 January 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826124229/http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/01/funding/the-budget-balancing-act-library-budgets-show-modest-improvement-and-signs-of-more-to-come/|archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> {{as of|2012}}, funding for construction and renovation of new libraries remains steady.<ref>{{cite web|title=Library Construction and Renovation|url=http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2013/library-construction-and-renovation|work=State of America's Libraries 2013|publisher=American Library Association|access-date=27 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802061317/http://www.ala.org/news/state-americas-libraries-report-2013/library-construction-and-renovation|archive-date=2 August 2013}}</ref> Cities' plans to close public libraries are frequently cancelled or scaled back. In 2012, voters in 13 U.S. states approved new funding for library construction or operations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beverly|first=Goldberg|title=Libraries Fare Well Overall at the Ballot Box|url=http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/article/libraries-fare-well-overall-ballot-box|access-date=28 July 2013|newspaper=American Libraries Magazine|date=11 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723042846/http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/article/libraries-fare-well-overall-ballot-box|archive-date=23 July 2013}}</ref> In the UK, the [[Library of Birmingham]], which opened in 2013, is the largest cultural space in Europe.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Nick|title=First look: Birmingham's new £188m library - a sparkling cornerstone of the city's rebirth|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/first-look-birminghams-new-188m-library--a-sparkling-cornerstone-of-the-citys-rebirth-8788527.html|access-date=30 August 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=29 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831133043/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/first-look-birminghams-new-188m-library--a-sparkling-cornerstone-of-the-citys-rebirth-8788527.html|archive-date=31 August 2013}}</ref>

Survey data suggests the public values free public libraries. A [[Public Agenda]] survey in 2006 reported 84% of the public said maintaining free library services should be a top priority for their local library. Public libraries received higher ratings for effectiveness than other local services such as parks and police. But the survey also found the public was mostly unaware of financial difficulties facing their libraries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.publicagenda.org/reports/long-overdue |title=Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century |date=December 31, 2005 |website=Public Agenda |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926154353/http://publicagenda.org/reports/long-overdue |archive-date=26 September 2008}}</ref> In various cost-benefit studies libraries continue to provide returns on the taxpayer dollar far higher than other municipal spending.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Holt|first1= Glen|title=Measuring Outcomes: Applying Cost-Benefit Analysis to Middle-Sized and Smaller Public Libraries|journal=Library Trends|date=2003|volume= 51|issue=3 |page= 424}}</ref> A 2008 survey discusses comprehensively the prospects for increased funding in the United States, saying in conclusion "There is sufficient, but latent, support for increased library funding among the voting population."<ref>{{cite book |title=From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America. A Report to the OCLC Membership |publisher=OCLC |date=2008 |isbn=978-1-55653-400-3 |url=http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/fullreport.pdf |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002025313/http://www.oclc.org/reports/funding/fullreport.pdf |archive-date=2 October 2008}}</ref> A 2013 [[Pew Research Center]] survey reported that 90% of Americans ages 16 and older said that the closing of their local public library would affect their community, with 63% saying it would have a "major" impact.<ref>Zickuhr, Kathryn et al. (2013). [http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/legacy-pdf/PIP_Libraries%20in%20communities.pdf How Americans Value Public Libraries in Their Communities.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219031822/http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/legacy-pdf/PIP_Libraries%20in%20communities.pdf |date=19 December 2013 }} Washington, D.C.: [[Pew Research Center]].</ref>