In A Nutshell

Vermont is one of only six libraries in the nation that does not provide direct funding to public libraries. That may change, though, when library advocates introduce a bill this year to raise $1.6 million in state funding for public libraries. The Vermont Library Association (VLA) Committee has developed a systematic campaign including regional hearings of librarians, research on state funding structures, and establishment of county-based campaign coordinators. Their proposal recommends distributing the state funds equitably across Vermont’s diverse libraries. Supporters are working to create a strong climate of support at the local level and publicizing their campaign through a brochure, Long Overdue: State Funding for Vermont’s Public Libraries.

Background

The Burlington (VT) Public Library.

Vermont is one of only six states in the nation that does not provide state level funding for public libraries. For many years this has been an issue of concern for the state’s librarians and library advocates. The Vermont State Library Association (VLA) which has an active Government Relations Committee, has discussed the issue with legislators at their legislative breakfasts, which are held regularly to provide for dialogue between library leaders and state decision-makers. During one of the legislative breakfasts in early 2006, the issue arose again and there was a consensus on the need to explore the feasibility of a campaign for state funding. Feeling that the time was right to pursue a concrete initiative, Committee members decided to take a series of steps before formalizing a funding request to the state legislature.

• Membership Survey: VLA Government Relations Committee surveyed their colleagues regarding the need for state funding.
• Regional Hearings: To reach as many librarians in the state as possible Committee members conducted hearings where they listened to colleagues’ descriptions of need and discussed with them the potential structures for support
• Consultation with an expert on state funding, who recommended creating an infrastructure of county coordinators to help carry out the campaign
• Research to determine how state funding might operate. VLA Committee members examined other states’ structures for support and also funding mechanisms within Vermont that might be comparable. They were especially concerned about the need for an approach that would be equitable, taking into account libraries’ varying sizes, service areas and service responsibilities.

The survey, hearings and research were all critical for organizing a strong campaign. The survey and the hearings documented overwhelming need for general operating support as well as endorsement of VLA’s plan for a state funding campaign. The research enabled campaign organizers to create a carefully reasoned plan for state support.

According to Martin Hahn, a member of the Committee, most public libraries in Vermont are relatively small and lack fiscal security in terms of operating funds. They are also “victims of their own success...they can’t keep up with the growth in usage and the demands for diverse services.” As an example, Hahn’s library, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, which is highest in the state in terms of circulation, had to close for two weeks in 2006 to avoid operating deficits. At the same time, demand and use have been growing exponentially.

Advocacy Goals

The goal of the VLA Campaign is an annual appropriation of $1.6 M for the state’s public libraries, to be equitably distributed to all public libraries in the state. In the words of the brochure:

These funds will allow Vermont's diverse public libraries to meet strong community demands for their services; to purchase books and other media for circulation; to be open to the public on a regular basis; and to keep pace with changes in technology.

Campaign organizers have developed a plan for equitable distribution of the funding to take into account the varying sizes and needs of the libraries in the state.

Challenge

The VLA Government Relations Committee has wrestled with the structure of state funding in order to assure equity across the state. According to Linda Wells, Chair of the Government Relations Committee, “We are a diverse state with many small town and we knew the funding should be structured to benefit all Vermonters.”

Advocacy Strategy

VLA Committee members have taken on organizing a campaign that includes the following components:

• County Coordinators to help ensure that all libraries and as many Friends, Trustees and patrons as possible support the Campaign goal.
• Spokespersons to attend the launch event and state their support for the initiative
• Outreach to the public through local libraries
• Outreach to Town Selectmen and State Legislators
• Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor
• Citizen participation at the local level

Highlights of the Campaign to date include (1) production of a widely distributed brochure explaining the rationale for the initiative and its relevance to local residents; and (2) a well publicized launch event held on Library Legislative Day at the state capital.

The Campaign brochure, Long Overdue: State Funding for Vermont’s Public Libraries, establishes the need for and the importance of state support. It enumerates the ways in which libraries are key assets for the state, from helping young children to develop language skills to helping the state’s residents bridge the digital divide. It argues for libraries as a good economic investment. And it documents the dramatic increase in demands for public library services. As one indicator, between 1998 and 2006, visitors to public libraries in Vermont increased 53%.

Breakthroughs

VLA campaign organizers have been surprised by the level of support they've received for the state funding plan not only from librarians but even from state legislators. Wells states: “the time appears to be right and many key people are in support of this initiative...we have high hopes it will succeed.”

Status

The VLA state funding initiative has gained considerable momentum in the library community and among some legislators. The plan is being converted to a bill that will be introduced in the legislature in the coming months, for adoption as part of the 2007 budget. The challenge now is to create a climate of support for the initiative all across the state. Organizers must mobilize more than librarians—they must mobilize Trustees, Friends, librarians and citizen advocates. Town Selectmen have been identified as an important constituency, insofar as their opinions have influence on state legislators. Op-Ed pieces are being encouraged and the Library Association is providing models for Letters to the Editor from librarians and citizens.

The challenge now is to create a supportive atmosphere around the state to bring about the votes required when the bill comes up in the statehouse.