Libraries have been doing this for years

In good economic times and bad.

Link to May 22 New York Times article, "States Barter Fish and Bullets to Save Money".

Excerpt: “What you have is an economy that is forcing people to share,” said Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr., the county executive in Essex County, N.J.

And what librarians have developed over the years is a model for collaboration -- of working together and sharing resources and creating efficiencies. If you haven't yet started to make this point with your group of "influentials", you need to develop a message NOW.

We have lots of success stories to share:

• Public access computer systems
• Interlibrary loan: physical delivery of materials
• Interlibrary loan: document delivery
• Access to online databases
  
• Access to materials in digital formats
  
• E-reference services (IM/chat)
• Long-range planning (e.g., COLAND report on future of Wisconsin libraries)
• Continuing education
• Special needs (e.g., regional library for blind & physically handicapped)
• add your additional examples here

The next time you hear someone talk about the need to share, to deliver services in a more efficient manner, tell them what the library profession has been doing for years.

In addition, you'll want to be sure your county and local elected officials hear this message repeatedly (but not overbearingly) before their next round of budget deliberations. The trickle-down effect of cuts in the state budget is already underway.

There's never been a more important time to advocate for libraries.

Churches Launch, Expand Programs to Help Jobseekers

Link to May 23 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, "Churches offer help to job hunters".

Excerpt: In March, Wisconsin's unemployment rate hit 9.4%, nearly double the rate a year earlier and the highest in 26 years, according to the Department of Workforce Development.

To stem that tide, faith communities have begun offering employment workshops and seminars, networking and support groups, even one-on-one coaching covering everything from résumé writing to interviewing skills.

"Churches have to meet people where they are, and this is where some of us are right now," said the Rev. Bonnie Stafford, interim associate pastor at Wauwatosa Presbyterian, which launched its networking group in January.

"That's what church is about - networking. We're sharing together as a community our love of God."

Central city congregations have long offered job training and readiness as part of their ministries. But the widespread nature of the latest recession has spread the pain across employment sectors and socioeconomic strata.

Hedberg Friends' "Growing a Reader" Program

Link to Stacy Vogel's May 18 "Cover to Cover" Janesville Gazette blog post, "Sowing the Seeds".

Excerpt: The "Growing a Reader" program is raising money to donate literacy packets to parents of infants at their two-week doctor visits. Each packet will include reading lists, tips for reading to babies, a library card application, and best of all, a coupon for a free book!