Survey Illustrates Effects of Reinvention Bill on Public Libraries

To determine the impact on public libraries of the Reinvention Bill passed last year by the Iowa General Assembly, the State Library and Library Service Areas surveyed public libraries in 2003.  Seventy-six percent of the libraries (413 of 543) responded.  The results showed significant funding problems for libraries.

City appropriation cuts to libraries were $1,659,633 and county cuts totaled $381,513. 

Many libraries were forced to reduce hours, closing 15,808 hours this year compared to last year.  Because of staff layoffs, 91,520 hours of direct public service to library customers have been eliminated.

In addition, $473,156 in funding for library materials was cut.  Nearly 23,657 new items will be unavailable for customers to choose from.  With fewer libraries having fewer new items, interlibrary loan requests will increase and libraries will have more costs to absorb.

For more information on the survey, visit the Iowa Library Service Areas’ web site at http://www.ilsa.lib.ia.us/reinvent.