STATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC LIBARIES

     While many library users may be aware of the financial problems the State of Illinois is experiencing, they may be unaware of the impact these financial problems are having on library systems and local public library service.
     Illinois library systems are funded directly by the State. Two of the most important services that are supported financially by the state are shared online catalogs (SWAN in our case) and the delivery of materials between libraries.
     Libraries in our area are part of the Metropolitan Library System (MLS). Because of the long delays in receiving State monies due to them, Illinois library systems, such as MLS, are cutting services and staff. This will have an impact on the local libraries they serve.
     With the potential loss of the Metropolitan Library System’s financial support for services, local libraries (Broadview Public Library among them) may need to cover these expenses themselves, and perhaps even downsize some services to make them more affordable. The impact on services to patrons may include limits on the number of items that may be ordered or borrowed from other libraries; a longer waiting period for items requested from other libraries; modification (or in some cases elimination) of special programs or joint ventures (an example of a special program/joint venture is the Macy’s Museum Pass program, although the program has been extended for another year, through August of 2011).
     Regional library systems in Illinois received a portion of the FY10 funding, which will allow MLS to continue to fund shared online catalogs and delivery service  for a period of time. Based on these recent payments, library systems are still owed $3.7 million from the State of Illinois for FY2010 (July 2009–June 2010). Systems have not received any state funds for FY2011 (July 2010–June 2011). The Illinois State Library has advised all systems to begin planning immediately for the eventuality that the entire balance of the FY10 funding may not arrive by December 31, 2010. The status of FY11 and FY12 payments is unknown.
     MLS did receive two payments of $279,305.23 ($558,610.46 total) on October 22. These payments will allow MLS to continue the existing level of support for ILL delivery and the SWAN Online Catalog solidly through January 2011, and possibly longer depending on future payments.
     Because of the uncertainty of any future payments, MLS is in the position of having to plan for two opposite outcomes: "What if we continue to be funded?" and "What if we do not receive further funding?" While it is difficult to move forward without any certainty of a revenue stream, what MLS can promise is to continue the delivery service and support to SWAN for as long as possible, and if funding does cease, MLS will provide an orderly transition of services. Discussion regarding the future of MLS services is happening at MLS Board meetings, MLS Public Advisory meetings, SWAN Council meetings, SWAN Governance Group meetings, and the Delivery Task Force committee. On a larger scale, the future of system services is being discussed at Merger Design Team meetings.
     There are two other possible small streams of revenue that MLS can draw upon, an LSTA grant from the Illinois State Library, and a line of credit issued by their bank. The Illinois State Library has indicated that there is about $1 million in federal funding available to be shared among all systems. MLS will submit a request for LSTA funding to take effect January 2011. The MLS board will discuss at the November 15 board meeting whether or not to draw upon a $350,000 line of credit, which uses the MLS headquarters in Burr Ridge as collateral.
     Illinois libraries continue to be committed to providing the best possible library services to their respective communities. The Broadview Public Library District is no exception, and we will continue toward that goal.