Archive for the 'advocacy' Category

Losing Libraries site

Published by Michelle on July 12, 2010 in Academic Libraries, Community Collaborations, General, Public Libraries, School Libraries, Special Libraries, advocacy, funding and institutional libraries. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

On behalf of Gene Hainer:

Francine Fialkoff, Library Journal Editor-in-Chief, has asked me to bring this site to your attention if you haven’t already seen it: www.LosingLibraries.org.

Reduced hours in Boulder and Lafayette, and the closures in Aurora are listed, as is the BHAG advocacy initiative.

The prominent “Report Cuts” button allows sending of newspaper stories and annotations…and to report successes. The site seems geared toward public libraries, but doesn’t appear to restrict inclusion of layoffs, reductions, or closures in other types.

I encourage you to keep the site updated as changes happen in your library. While no one wants to flaunt bad news, showing an accurate picture is important as Colorado braces for further budget battles locally, and at the state level.

Once the site is more fully populated, Library Journal will send out press releases to major media around the country.

Thank you for your help on this.

Are Colorado property taxes high?

Published by Valerie Horton on June 30, 2010 in advocacy. 0 Comments

“The business-supported Tax Foundation lists Colorado 6th best for business among all 50 states in its 2010 Business Property Tax Index. (Factoring in all taxes, Colorado ranked 13th best in the Tax Foundation’s overall Business Tax Climate Index.)

Residential property taxes in Colorado are low. According to the Tax Foundation the property tax levied on the average Denver home is 0.53% of home value. In comparison Los Angeles is 0.50%, Cheyenne 0.65%, Miami 0.90%, Bergen County, New Jersey 1.63% and Dallas 2.12%.  Colorado homeowners enjoy low property tax rates.”

Source: Colorado Municipal League http://www.cml.org/pdf_files/release_062810.pdf

Libraries report increased use of e-government, job resources; reduced operating hours

Published by Valerie Horton on June 29, 2010 in advocacy and funding. 0 Comments

“WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report finds America’s public libraries posted gains in several key areas of technology deployment. Libraries nationwide report they’ve seen an increase in public use of online services, particularly to support job seeking and e-government transactions, and have made some gains in adding public computers and improving Internet connections available to patrons.  However, snowballing funding cuts at state and local levels are forcing thousands of libraries to literally lock away access to these resources as they reduce operating hours.”  Read more here

The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the ALA, can be found online at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.

“Make a Splash” Summer Reading Fun

Published by Michelle on June 17, 2010 in Children's Services, General, Public Libraries, School Libraries, Teen Services, advocacy and programs. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

We couldn’t resist posting these fun photos from Kathy Barco at the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library System. Like most public libraries in Colorado, they are doing the “Make a Splash” summer reading program theme.

Jellyfish & Fish Big Jellyfish
Kathy says these jellyfish “are making a big hit with staff and customers!” Continue reading ‘“Make a Splash” Summer Reading Fun’

Businesses promote library

Published by judy on June 10, 2010 in Innovation, Southeast and advocacy. 0 Comments

Hats off to local artist, Mary Jean Fowler, who created a paper Mache frog, which is now  displayed in the local grocery store (Charlies) in La Veta, CO . The frog encourages folks  to visit the public library. What a wonderful display of cooperation and collaboration between local business people and the library. Thanks go to Library Director, Sandy Hackbarth, for submitting this photo and other photos of figures throughout the town.

Add A “Save Libraries” Twibbon to your Social Network Pics

Published by Valerie Horton on April 23, 2010 in General and advocacy. 0 Comments

We encourage Colorado library staff and friends valerie with twibbonto add a “Save Libraries” Twibbon to social networking sites.  It’s easy and quick.  Log on to Facebook, then go to: http://twibbon.com/cause/Save-Libraries/Facebook.  Follow the handful of instructions on the page.

Here’s the link for Twitter: http://twibbon.com/cause/Save-Libraries/Twibutes

We can practice advocacy for libraries every day in small ways, please join us in this effort to keep libraries out front and center!

Help us test out social networking

Published by Valerie Horton on April 8, 2010 in advocacy. 0 Comments Tags: .

A group in Colorado is testing our social networking – can we make Facebook trends go viral?  If you’re on Facebook, please help us by joining the following trends:

TIME TO BE CREATIVE: What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of the word: LIBRARY? Change your status to whatever word you thought of.

Join this group:
I’ll Bet I Can Find 1,000,000 People Who Think Libraries Are Important
http://www.facebook.com/search/?flt=1&q=libraries&o=69&sid=1802322095.987583913..1&s=130#!/group.php?gid=110609512299912

 Thanks, Valerie

Colorado’s 2010 Anti-Tax Ballot Issues : Their Impact on Colorado and its Libraries

Published by judy on March 23, 2010 in Academic Libraries, Continuing Education, Front Range, General, Public Libraries, School Libraries, advocacy and funding. 0 Comments

Andrew Romanoff to speak at Colleague Connection 2010 – Wednesday, April 7.

Andrew Romanoff, current US Senate Candidate and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, will be providing background on current Constitutional fiscal restrictions and how they hinder legislative action in Colorado.
Rich Jones, Director of policy and research,  Bell Policy Center will discuss the fiscal impact on Colorado if the ballot issues are successful.
Jamie LaRue, Director of the Douglas Library District, will be discussing the impact on libraries and action we can take to prevent their passage.

Three ballot issues aimed at drastically reducing the taxes and fees required of Colorado’s residents will mean extreme cuts to all tax and fee-funded Colorado institutions if they are passed in November.  Every sector of Colorado’s economy and government will be affected by their passage.  As citizens, librarians need to be aware of the potential effects of their passage on education (pre K-12 and higher education), businesses, and municipal, county, special district, and state governments. How will corporate, school, academic, and public libraries continue to serve their communities if they are passed?

The Bell’s analysis on proposed ballot initiatives.

Continue reading ‘Colorado’s 2010 Anti-Tax Ballot Issues : Their Impact on Colorado and its Libraries’

Conditions of U.S. Libraries: Trends 1999-2009

Published by Sharon on January 13, 2010 in Academic Libraries, General, Public Libraries, School Libraries, advocacy and funding. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Elena Rosenfeld, Colorado Association of Libraries ALA Chapter Counselor, passed this press release on from ALA. Great statistics and information. How would you use this to advocate for libraries in your community?

New ALA report details economic trends in libraries and 2010 outlook
CHICAGO – At every turn, news reports and research indicate fairly dramatic changes in U.S. library funding, services and staffing – most occurring in the last 18 months. According to a new report prepared by the American Library Association (ALA), libraries of all types are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn while managing sky-high use.

Compiled from a broad range of available sources, The Condition of Libraries: 1999-2009 presents U.S. economic trends (2009), and summarizes trends in public, school and academic libraries across several library measures, including expenditures, staffing and services. The report also highlights trends in services provided to libraries by library cooperatives and consortia.
Continue reading ‘Conditions of U.S. Libraries: Trends 1999-2009′

PANEL DISCUSSION: Colorado’s 2010 Anti-Tax Ballot Issues : Their Impact on Colorado and its Libraries

Published by judy on January 11, 2010 in General and advocacy. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Save the date!

The Colorado Association of Law Libraries, in conjunction with the Special Libraries Association, Colorado Council of Medical Librarians, Colorado Association of Libraries, and the University of Denver Library and Information Science Program is pleased to present:

Colleague Connection 2010
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 7, 2010
University of Denver Driscoll Center North Gallery and Ballroom
PANEL DISCUSSION:  Colorado’s 2010 Anti-Tax Ballot Issues : Their Impact on Colorado and its Libraries

Continue reading ‘PANEL DISCUSSION: Colorado’s 2010 Anti-Tax Ballot Issues : Their Impact on Colorado and its Libraries’

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