Save Our Rockford Library (SOL) Calls for More Public Input in Library's Strategic Planning

Rockford Public Library's digital strategy defended. (Rockford Register-Star, 1/14/2012)

Excerpt: SOL members said they became especially concerned when reading about plans to close library branches, acquire the Sullivan Center, require fewer staff and weed out the library’s print collection so it can be more easily housed.  One proposal notes that the library could strive for a 90/10 ratio of digital-to-print. 

“The money spent on staff, branches and books would be funneled into the collection budget” to be spent on digital materials, said Rachel Leon, a member of SOL. “Most libraries are careful to tread into uncertain and unregulated waters of eBook lending. Publishers continue to pull their titles away from library eBook lending. ... The board is gambling with our tax dollars in uncharted territory.” 

Frank Novak, executive director of the library, said those concerns stemmed from memos and reports from him to the library’s board that were never voted on and were not made public until Friday’s news conference.“

Those are things that I’ve looked at for the long term,” he said, “what could happen in the long run.”

Save Our Rockford Library (SOL) blog.

Related article:
Rockford Public Library will boost spending on digital and audio books in 2012. (10/13/2011)
Supportive editorial for Rockford Public Library needs a fact checker. (9/1/2011)
Rockford Public Library circulates 0.05 ebooks per capita in 1st half of 2011. (7/13/2011)

Rockford Public Library Hours Survey a Toss-Up So Far. (11/21/2010)
Branch closures off the table. (10/21/2010)
Library considers a Branch Anywhere future.  (9/14/2010)
Library patrons deal with a new reality.  (3/23/2010)
Reductions in staff, cuts in hours leads to adjustments all around. (2/2/2010)

Rockford Public Library staggers into 2010. (1/8/2010)]

Rockford library board OKs union contract. (11/17/2009)

Advocating for the Rockford Public Library. (11/12/2009)

Rockford Public Library's projected $1.7 million deficit. (11/3/2009)

Rockford Public Library: "Library cuts coming". (9/15/2009)

Rockford library board delays action on shortfall. (7/21/2009)