Annotations wk3

In this week’s annotations exercise, I am continuing my reading through Exploring Basic needs Support Across Public and Community College Libraries: Opportunities for Collaboration by Sindy Lopez, Sage J. Love, and Melissa Blankstein (July 16, 2024). As I reflect on this reading, I consider my current role as a public librarian and student.

This week, I am reviewing Library Revenues and Expenditures across public and community college libraries. Advertising is essential for public libraries to effectively share information with their patrons and community members. Public libraries should also strive to be as transparent as possible with their funding, especially since tax dollars often support their operations. Transparency is crucial because it helps build trust and accountability within the community.

Building on Monday’s annotation, advertising is an essential priority for libraries to effectively communicate with their communities. As noted earlier in the reading, libraries with greater funding are more likely to allocate resources to advertising than those with limited budgets. I’ve experienced this firsthand, having worked in both well-funded libraries and small-town libraries that rely heavily on donations and grants due to minimal funding or low millage rates.

The reading highlights data on library advertising, showing that libraries promoting at least one financial literacy or assistance service had an average of 15 FTE staff, while those that did not advertise these services averaged seven FTE staff. The largest expenses are transportation and food insecurity.

My thoughts are that larger community college and public libraries with the resources for staffing and advertising will naturally have larger teams compared to smaller libraries. For community college students, transportation and food options are essential needs, and ensuring awareness of these services is vital. This makes it critical for these libraries to prioritize advertising, as it helps connect students to the resources they rely on to navigate both their academic and personal lives effectively.