In 2019, there were a little over 392 visits to the library for every 100 people in the United States. The number of people visiting libraries peaked in 2009, with around 535.5 visits. Ever since, though, it has been on a steady decline.
Libraries in the United States are struggling. According to the 2023 American Library Associaion report, various libraries — public, university, school, special, etc. — had to contend with multiple threats to their stability.
The book havens and their staff across the nation faced reduced funding, threats to safety, and massive layoffs across the board. This has made it necessary to take steps as individuals and as a society to protect these centers of learning however one can. One of the more active ways to fight at the frontlines of this battle is to start a library of one’s own.
Libraries in the US: The Current State
There are more than nine thousand public libraries in the US, all of which offer their respective local communities a vast array of services and resources. Libraries are essential for supporting and promoting education, research, information resource sharing, and rehabilitation of convicts in prison.
In the current digital era, libraries tend to appear a tad archaic. Many argue that the internet has taken over library information services. However, if we look at the numbers, it’s easy to deduce that the relevance of a library to society can not diminish even in the years to come.
Between 1995 and 2019, per capita operating expenditure for public libraries increased by 30%, despite reaching its highest point in 2009. The local government primarily funds public libraries in the USA. However, they also receive funding from donations and grant programs.
With the number of library visitors falling each year, these centers of learning are now adopting new roles and catering to new reader characteristics. Many offer computer classes, afterschool programs for teenagers, and children’s programs.
More and more libraries are adding ebook offerings to their digital shelves in an effort to stay ahead of trends and remain accessible. So, if the question is whether the library business will become redundant soon, chances are that won’t happen for decades yet. That said, is investing in a library in 2024 a good idea?
Starting a library in 2024: The Why and the How
Libraries are centers of knowledge, holders of civilization’s secrets and stories. They hold several centuries’ worth of truth, history, and learning. Today, as misinformation spreads like wildfire on the internet, preserving the truth is more important than ever.
The past few years have seen a significant rise in book bans across the US. Even though the US has always been one of the biggest proponents of free speech in the world, book bans, and censorship attempts have swept state after state, attacking public, school, and even prison libraries.
According to a report by the American Library Association, book censorship demands rose by 38% last year, with over 695 demands in just the first eight months of the year. This is a critical moment for the nation at large. As books written by and for queer folx and people of color face the most backlash and censorship demands, one of the best ways for a citizen and a concerned reader to combat censorship is to start a library. But how does one go about doing it?
Buying dozens of books is probably the easiest part of starting a library. Before making the big decision, one must have a mission in mind. Will the library serve a community with little or no book access? Will it focus on literature from a specific era or fill its digital racks with ebooks?
Once one knows the library’s mission, one can look for space, equipment, staff, and funding.
Fortunately, the ALA maintains fact sheets for starting a new library. If the goal is to build a public library, one can receive guidance specific to the state from the library development department of the state library.
Structure and Location
There are laws one needs to keep in mind while starting a library, even if it is a tiny free library. Compatibility with regional zonal laws is a must. In certain areas, there are homeowner association rules to consider as well. Accessibility is one more thing to keep in mind.
The place must be easily visible and offer a certain degree of comfort and safety. If the building is not clean and well-lit, patrons will not be keen on browsing books. The design should be such that the building is clutter-free and the patrons can quickly get in touch with the staff.
If the library is a space for community events and computer education, a separate space curated for such activities would be ideal. Patrons commonly work and conduct research at the library. As such, one needs to make sure there are ample numbers of power outlets for people to charge their tablets, phones, and laptops.
Demographics
To determine the library’s program, one must contact the community they serve. Knowing one’s demographic will help one decide on what programs to offer and determine what kind of information the community needs.
Furnishings
Every library needs bookshelves, but other furnishings like tables, desks, and chairs are equally important. One needs to make sure the patrons’ demands are met. Installing floor pillows and beanbags would be a good idea if the library caters to children. On the other hand, if the patrons mostly consist of elderly folks, there needs to be adequate lighting and comfortable seating arrangements.
Funding
The first step to securing funding is to create a funding plan and ascertain whether it is sustainable or not. Public libraries usually receive local funding. However, a small portion of the money comes from gifts and fees as well. Therefore, it is paramount to understand the tax collection and allocation process for each state. If it’s not a public library, one must remember that funding for non-public libraries might not exist post-start-up.
Tracking
It used to be that every book in the library had a card attached to it that kept track of when it got borrowed and when it got returned. But those days are long gone. Most libraries use computers to keep track of books and add new ones to the catalog. This increases speed and efficiency while also allowing patrons to look up books with considerable ease. The ALA website has a wealth of resources related to library technology and suppliers.
Staff
Tiny libraries offering books for free can probably function with just one staff keeping the bookshelves clean. However, A larger library would require more than one person to function properly. There needs to be staff to assist patrons with cleaning, ordering, and shelving books. They would also need the soft skills to deal with the patrons. Experience in working at a library would be an added plus, of course.
