Focus on FUNDRAISING

Ohio Libraries, Fall 2004 by Lyttle, Jeff

Ohio has long been a national leader in the area of library service and library funding. Unwavering support at the state level created a model system of 251 libraries with a reputation for excellence that is the envy of American library community.

And, while about 25% of Ohio's library systems have needed to supplement their state funding with local tax dollars through the passage of levies (nine Ohio districts were seeking new or continuing local tax revenue on the Nov. 2 ballot), library administrators and trustees have not typically spent a substantial amount of time thinking about fundraising. Thanks to income sources such as Friends organizations, book sales, and loyal patrons and businesses, financial management and proper stewardship of our libraries could be the focus for trustees. Until recently, securing new funding sources to simply continue "business as usual" service was not a necessity for most systems.

However, the reality of a stagnant economy, frozen state funding streams, and annual battles to retain any level of state funding has changed all of that. Fundraising is now a front-and-center issue for library trustees and administrators across Ohio. Finance committee meetings are suddenly dominated by discussions about fundraising while the agendas at board retreats are built around issues like endowments and foundations. More and more library systems across Ohio are realizing that their very survival may depend on their ability to successfully raise money. Meanwhile, circulation and demand for services are growing. Suddenly, "business as usual" is unlike anything we've seen before.

As library trustees, it's clearly our responsibility to ensure that our services, facilities, teams, collections, and infrastructure are funded adequately and appropriately. More and more, that means working with our library leadership and our communities to generate new sources of funding.

Yet, we must not allow our fundraising fervor to result in our libraries straying from their core missions. When I read of a California library that is operating an online retail business - something akin to Amazon.com - as a means of raising funds (the library receives a percentage of all sales), it made me uneasy. Dedicating the resources that are necessary to make such an endeavor successful almost certainly detracts from the job at hand - which is providing library services to patrons. The program gets high marks for creativity, but I fear it may be creativity at the expense of library service, which defeats the purpose. The fundraising is irrelevant if the core product is suffering as a result.

In the post 9-11 environment, Ohioans seem to be rediscovering and embracing the important elements of communities and a free society, like libraries. More than ever, our facilities serve as community gathering places that celebrate lifelong learning and diverse points of view. It's not a time that we can afford to step backward.

Clearly, educating our patrons about the relationship between our funding challenges and the services they receive is a critical first step toward re-defining "business as usual." Library patrons, and businesses and community leaders have shown time and again that they're willing to step up to ensure the continuation of library service excellence. Many of us are fortunate to be part of library systems that are considered non-negotiable community assets. A proactive and honest dialogue with our stakeholders can and will go a long way toward moving the issue forward.

BY JEFF LYTTLE

TRUSTEE, WORTHINGTON LIBRARIES

OHIO MEDIA RELATIONS AND CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY, JPMORGAN CHASE AND BANK ONE

Jeff Lyttle is a Trustee for the Worthington Libraries and Director of Ohio Media Relations and Corporate Philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase and Bank One. He can be contacted at (614) 248-9079 or jeffrey _r_lyttle@bankone. com.