| Convocation on Providing Public Library Service to California’s 21st Century Population | [Back] [Contents] [Next] |
Many public libraries in California are no longer the great democratic institutions they once were - because of access limitations. We must rethink our missions and refocus our efforts to provide equitable access to all Californians. Inequitable access must be ameliorated to ensure representative democracy for all citizens well into the 21st century.
Major issues involved in improving access in public libraries
Funding problems are the major issue - not just a serious lack of adequate funding to fulfill public library missions, but a debilitating inequity in the distribution of wealth, which is undermining the very basic tenets of a democratic form of government in our great State of California. In addition to major funding barriers are those imposed by legal requirements, physical inadequacies, governing body and community use requisites. These are key issues that prevent equity and/or access, which must be addressed statewide and resolved if we are to reach our ultimate goal of equitable access.
Funding Barriers - While the Public Library Foundation (PLF) Program is a major inducement to local governments to maintain levels of service statewide and a much appreciated source of state aid, the inequity in the distribution of wealth makes it appear that "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." This is also reflected in the level of local government support through taxation, as it often parallels the level of local community donations.
In addition, an inadequate level of funding of the state's Transaction Based Reimbursement (TBR) Program* and local funding levels may cause local governments to restrict access to resources rather than encourage a reciprocity of borrowing for the benefit of the public good.
Legal Barriers - Property taxes cause inequities of service due
to the unequal
distribution of wealth. Proposition 218 allows direct rather
than representative democracy.
Physical Barriers - Many geographic areas of the state lack public library services within a reasonable distance from work or home (i.e., mountains, deserts and vast expanses of farmland). Access to library service is sometimes inequitable because of the uneven rural/urban population. Architectural barriers continue to exist in dysfunctional buildings that do not accommodate individuals protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, the lack of space, datelines, electronic access points, electrical outlets and equipment, and resources to assist these individuals prevents equal access.
Public transportation needs to be improved and extended to all areas of the State to give ready access to public library service. The locations of some facilities can pose problems if they are situated in dangerous neighborhoods, unreachable on foot, bicycle or skateboard, or lack adequate parking or safe areas in which to locate personal belongings. Access may need to be offered at alternative sites such as bookmobiles, kiosks at community fairs, library by mail, etc.
In addition, bibliographic access to materials is incomplete. All materials need to be retrospectively converted on-line and networked with bibliographic utilities worldwide via Internet. Subject access to materials and authority control as well needs to be updated and expanded.
Governing Body Barriers - Federal and state mandates are crippling local governments' ability to act responsively to their citizenry. Consequently, whether it be from a lack of funds or because they are given low priority, inadequately funded public libraries limit access to materials, information and trained staff. Moreover, hours of opening are often curtailed, thereby not meeting community needs. Lack of funds or other reasons can cause governing bodies or policy makers to restrict access via approving closed stacks, poorly funding materials collections, inadequately addressing on-site information access, placing limitations on interlibrary loan borrowing, charging non-resident or resident user fees and fines, which may shut the doors to many individuals, especially low-income community members.
Allowing branches or "stand alone" libraries to remain unlinked within a library system or larger jurisdiction, or without a public catalog linkage to networked, resource sharing libraries is also a form of restricted access. Some libraries have too much electronic access, some too little (i.e., the balance between electronic resources and print resources might be unbalanced in relationship to community needs). Governing bodies and/or policy makers can further limit access by the passage of restrictive use policies (e.g., closed stacks for sensitive materials, choosing not to buy controversial materials, or using filters on Internet access). In addition, they can prevent voters from ever having the opportunity to pass a measure to give increased financial support to a library.
Community Use Barriers - There are some individuals in society who distrust government; therefore, they do not want to register at a public library for fear of possible government intervention in their lives. There are those who have language and cultural barriers (i.e., those who have little understanding of this public institution). Some people have a perception of not being welcome. Others perceive the public library as an elitist institution, and/or that it is too expensive for them. In some areas, the public library is located out of their immediate neighborhood, or if it is there, it does not reflect or respond to neighborhood needs. And then, there is the illiterate -not just the person who cannot read, but the computer illiterate as well. For these individuals access issues are compounded.
Lack of time and time restrictions on use of materials and/or computers dissuade some individuals from using the library. Some libraries may treat youths as second-class users, limiting use privileges by virtue of parental and/or library control measures. Libraries may offer services and resources which users deem immaterial to their lives.
Individuals can also have psychological barriers to using a library due to a lack of knowledge about the value of the public library, or because they mistakenly believe they know how to use the library and don't ask for help when they need it. Public library access, too, is limited to those who lack research skills, exposure to a public library due to limited school field trips, disinterested guardians, or inadequate resources for private or public transportation. It is also due to heavy traffic in some areas of the state. All of the aforementioned must be addressed and improved to meet the needs of California's 21st century population.
Recommendations:
Public libraries and the California State Library should work together with representative stake holders to help redefine and refocus our mission in light of limited resources. Not only is it important to increase and stabilize funding for basic library services and for staff training and volunteers, but it is equally essential to forge partnerships with other service providers who share common goals to maximize our resources and make society a better place to live. Equitable funding must also be provided in the PLF and TBR programs, and we must work toward full funding of these efforts.
In addition, we need to earmark Library Services and Technology Act funds and the pending Library of California funds toward programs that will break down these barriers; we must mount a positive, statewide public relations effort to ensure success in garnering additional funding resources to educate our public regarding our mission to serve their desires and needs; and we must take the lead to become more customer service-oriented, proactive, creative, resourceful, visionary and responsive to change to evolve into a great democratic institution that ensures access to all. Let us move forward to create our future and do it with the passion and zeal that brought us into this profession in the first place.