Library Systems Planning to Merge
The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) and the North Country Library Cooperative(NCLC), both of Mountain Iron, have announced plans to merge the two agencies.The Arrowhead Library was established in 1966 and is one of twelve regional public library systems that cover all 87 counties in Minnesota. ALS provides coordination, support, and technology for 29 public libraries in the seven-county Arrowhead region, as well delivering services directly to residents via Bookmobile and Mail-A-Book services.
The North Country Library Cooperative is one of the state’s seven “multi-county, multitype” library cooperatives designed to foster cooperation between all types of libraries: public libraries, K-12 school libraries, academic/higher education libraries, and special libraries in public and private agencies.
“Both agencies serve the same geographic area,” stated Jim Weikum, ALS Executive Director, “and there are commonalities in some of our services.” NCLC has leased office space from ALS since 2002. “There has often been confusion about the distinctions between the two agencies on the part of our customers and some officials,” Weikum added. “As we began to look at operational efficiencies, particularly in these challenging economic times, a possible merger of the two library systems became a viable option.”
The merger will become official with approval by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education to designate the Arrowhead Library System as the “multicounty,multi-type” library system for northeastern Minnesota. The merger will be effective July 1, 2012. During this transition, the two agencies will engage in a collaborative strategic planning process to determine service priorities, staffing needs, and other administrative and operational functions. “The boards of the two agencies would not have approved the merger unless they felt the end result would be improved services,”commented Weikum.
Questions about the merger should be directed to Jim Weikum, ALS Executive Director,
at (218) 741-3840 or jweikum@arrowhead.lib.mn.us .
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Minnesota Libraries' Return on Investment Study
The Minnesota Public Libraries' Return on Investment Study conducted over the last year by the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at the University of Minnesota -Duluth has been released.
The study calculates that for every dollar invested in public libraries there is a $4.62 ROI. How was this figure calculated?
From the report:
"The return on investment (ROI) in Minnesota of public library service in 2010 is calculated as follows: Using contingent valuation, as well as a cost-based approach, the total economic contribution of Minnesota public libraries is estimated to be $898,041,512. The Minnesota population served by public libraries in 2010 is reported by the US Census as 5,303,925. The economic contribution per capita equals $169.32. The local and county tax support per capita equals $36.67. Therefore, the dollar annual return per dollar of public tax support equals $4.62. Comparisons with recent findings from other states show that Minnesotans enjoy a somewhat greater rate of return than the mean ($4.23) for a sample collection of other state's findings."
While the financial benefit is greater than the mean of other states, there is more to the story. Also from the report: "However, the social return on investment (SROI) from Minnesota public libraries is greater than the measureable return on investment. Other benefits of significant value include the collection of materials itself, and the many services of the library; the educational programs, as well as the educational and literacy benefits of the library's mission; technology for use in the library; the expertise of the library staff; the library facility as a community gathering place; the "halo" spending by library users at establishments close to the library; and the value of a library's enhancement to neighborhood real estate and community partnerships.
Although the need for public funding and competition from the Internet can be negative aspects for libraries, stakeholders enjoy many other positive aspects. Inside and outside the library system, library users with children or grandchildren benefit, as do employees from the community at large who check out materials for use at their workplace, library users who contact public library reference libraries for information, and technology users with a need for Internet access."
And bottomline, it seems libraries have popular support: "The main conclusion from this survey is that Minnesotans feel public libraries are important and that library support should be maintained or increased."
So, if libraries have popular support and people are willing to pay for library service, why is it that governmental monetary support for libraries has been decreasing?
The study calculates that for every dollar invested in public libraries there is a $4.62 ROI. How was this figure calculated?
From the report:
"The return on investment (ROI) in Minnesota of public library service in 2010 is calculated as follows: Using contingent valuation, as well as a cost-based approach, the total economic contribution of Minnesota public libraries is estimated to be $898,041,512. The Minnesota population served by public libraries in 2010 is reported by the US Census as 5,303,925. The economic contribution per capita equals $169.32. The local and county tax support per capita equals $36.67. Therefore, the dollar annual return per dollar of public tax support equals $4.62. Comparisons with recent findings from other states show that Minnesotans enjoy a somewhat greater rate of return than the mean ($4.23) for a sample collection of other state's findings."
While the financial benefit is greater than the mean of other states, there is more to the story. Also from the report: "However, the social return on investment (SROI) from Minnesota public libraries is greater than the measureable return on investment. Other benefits of significant value include the collection of materials itself, and the many services of the library; the educational programs, as well as the educational and literacy benefits of the library's mission; technology for use in the library; the expertise of the library staff; the library facility as a community gathering place; the "halo" spending by library users at establishments close to the library; and the value of a library's enhancement to neighborhood real estate and community partnerships.
Although the need for public funding and competition from the Internet can be negative aspects for libraries, stakeholders enjoy many other positive aspects. Inside and outside the library system, library users with children or grandchildren benefit, as do employees from the community at large who check out materials for use at their workplace, library users who contact public library reference libraries for information, and technology users with a need for Internet access."
And bottomline, it seems libraries have popular support: "The main conclusion from this survey is that Minnesotans feel public libraries are important and that library support should be maintained or increased."
So, if libraries have popular support and people are willing to pay for library service, why is it that governmental monetary support for libraries has been decreasing?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Information Overload
This Slideshare presentation from Heather Braum, Technology Librarian at Northeast Kansas Library System, contains good information to help K-12 library staff manage the overwhelming deluge of information which we are bombarded with these days.
Managing Professional Information Overload (K12 Version)
View more presentations from Heather Braum
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Lake Superior Libraries Symposium
The planning committee of the first-ever Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is seeking presentation proposals.
The Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is a rare chance for northwoods librarians to share their expertise,
learn from colleagues, and network with professionals from Academic, K12, and Public Libraries – all without
bankrupting your travel or continuing education budget!
Date of Symposium: June 1, 2012
Location: Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Superior, WI
Presentation Length: 45 minutes
Proposals Due: February 24th.
Suggested Presentation Topics:
Teaching and Learning
Information literacy
Story time
Serving diverse learners (distance learning, adult learners, rural, income diversity, etc)
Teaching techniques that have effectively engaged learners (active learning, creative pedagogy)
Collaboration and unique partnerships in teaching learners
Technology
Virtual reference
E-reader support
Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
Tablets/e-readers
Learning objects and instructional videos
Leadership and Management
Strategic planning
Change management
Professional involvement
IT management on a small budget
The Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is a rare chance for northwoods librarians to share their expertise,
learn from colleagues, and network with professionals from Academic, K12, and Public Libraries – all without
bankrupting your travel or continuing education budget!
Date of Symposium: June 1, 2012
Location: Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Superior, WI
Presentation Length: 45 minutes
Proposals Due: February 24th.
Suggested Presentation Topics:
Teaching and Learning
Information literacy
Story time
Serving diverse learners (distance learning, adult learners, rural, income diversity, etc)
Teaching techniques that have effectively engaged learners (active learning, creative pedagogy)
Collaboration and unique partnerships in teaching learners
Technology
Virtual reference
E-reader support
Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
Tablets/e-readers
Learning objects and instructional videos
Leadership and Management
Strategic planning
Change management
Professional involvement
IT management on a small budget
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Library Legislative Day 2012
At today's Minnesota Library Association Legislative Committee meeting, committee members voted to select Tuesday, February 28, 2012 as the date for Library Legislative Day 2012.
Further details will be shared as arrangements are made. Typically there is a briefing the night before for those going to meet with their legislators on Tuesday. The briefing is repeated in the morning for those unable to attend the evening briefing.
Further details will be shared as arrangements are made. Typically there is a briefing the night before for those going to meet with their legislators on Tuesday. The briefing is repeated in the morning for those unable to attend the evening briefing.
Monday, December 12, 2011
2012 Spotlight on Books Conference
News from Ruth Solie of Northern Lights Library Network:
Want to let you know that the Spotlight webpage for 2012 is up and complete; it has links to the registration form and a form for lodging reservations. We’re open for business for anyone who wants to begin registering or promoting! I hope you’ll share a link to the website to friends and colleagues everywhere!
Anything you want to know about Spotlight should be at the link.
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