From looking at this blog you know that I am fond of Augstine Burrell's quotation, "Libraries are not made, they grow." Libraries are like people, trees, and puppies. They don't spring fully-formed from the head of Zeus like Apollo. They grow.
Libraries grow in several ways. They grow by listening and observing their customers. What are they asking for, what do they use? Good libraries monitor what books are checked out, what authors are popular, what storytimes are well attended, and what programs succeed and they try to continue to provide what their customers want and offer even more of those popular books and events. They grow by adding computer stations as they are used more and more. They grow by building bigger and better spaces to allow people to come to programs, use computers, or just sit and read.
Libraries also grow from support. Just like the trees grow taller and stronger from establishing strong root systems, libraries grow with support from customers, Friends groups, staff member services and talents, and elected officials.
Did you know that libraries are non-profit, government institutions? We provide services, materials, computer access, and all those wonderful things because you pay taxes. Libraries may have supplemental help from Friends groups, Foundations, grants, donations, and a very small amount from the state, but our funding comes from tax support. Your tax bill doesn't list how much you pay for libraries, but if you are a resident of Dubuque County, you pay $25.50 per year for library service. That is such an incredible bargain. For that $25.50 you can check out as many books, dvds, magazines, and books on cd as you want. You can download audio and ebooks from our website. You can use all of our electronic databases to create a resume, price a collectible, or research medicare costs. And you can bring your children to storytimes, movies, and craft programs as often as you wish.
Dubuque County Library is growing. We opened a new branch in Peosta last fall at Northeast Iowa Community College. We moved from a small storefront location in Farley to a beautiful new space in Drexler Middle School. With our partners, these moves greatly expanded hours of library service available to residents. We also are growing our book budget and buying more copies of popular titles so that you can find what you want to read. We are also growing by upgrading our computer network so Internet service is more reliable. And we upgraded our Microsoft Office software so you can use the latest version of Word and Excel. We also upgraded our library catalog to a more graphic format that displays our new book and DVD titles.
In the coming years, we want to continue to grow. We are working with the City of Holy Cross to move to the new fire department building on Main St. This new location will have lots of light and we will be offering more programs there as well as increasing the number of new books and DVDs. Dubuque County Library is also working with the City of Asbury to build a new municipal building that will house city hall offices, police, and a new library.
I believe libraries are wonderful, equalizing, places that are part of providing for the public good. Dubuque County Library is working on becoming the library you want and deserve. Help us grow with your comments and support so that we can become the best library possible to serve our citizens. Okay, I will now step down from my soapbox and wish everyone a great weekend. I will talk to you next week.
Dawn
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