Today I joined a Facebook group called Pennsylvania’s 5.6 Million Library Cardholders Can’t Be Wrong. I was motivated to join because I have been thinking about the whole conversation occurring around libraries in general, and funding of them specifically.

Back in March I read an article that really questioned the relevancy of libraries in the digital age. The article raised many issues about the future of libraries as more and more content is digitized and as increasing number of people do not have to leave home to receive that content.

I believe that libraries are addressing these issues as well as helping to bridge the existing digital divide so that those who can not afford or do not have access to a computer can access on-line resources (you only have to watch the nightly news to see a story of an unemployed person using a library computer to find a job). Despite the need for this public resource, they are under a financial attack.

Straining state and local budgets are putting substantial pressure on library budgets resulting in cuts in hours, programs and resources. The current conversation is being framed in an era of reduced funding, and how state and local governments allocate their limited resources. Unfortunately, the current answer is that libraries are not a priority at the state level, with a mixed response at the local level.

Today, what motivated me to join the group were three articles I saw this morning that both described the pain libraries are experiencing as a result of these cuts, and one article that pointed out the important roles that they have played for so many of us. I felt that I needed to share these articles with others who might be of a like mind, so I searched for an appropriate Facebook page.

Interestingly, this group page was not easy to find. I did not find it through a search on Facebook, but I was able to find it by going to the Pennsylvania Library Association web site. Even there it was not easy because the link is in a rotating image. But having found it I was happy to see that the group had over 3,200 members, and I posted the three articles after joining.

I have a few suggestions for the group, the association, and libraries in general. First, the association should create an association Facebook page, and encourage it’s member libraries to establish their own (many already do). This would provide the association with an important social media platform to support its existing advocacy campaign (roughly one out of every three Americans are on Facebook). Second, this page could push content to the member pages and the group page supporting the association’s advocacy efforts. Third, the resulting growth in the community would provide the grass roots support that will be necessary at both the state and local level to preserve and protect an important and valuable community asset. Last, the conversation that these pages will create will educate and inform stakeholders, influencer’s and the public.

What thoughts do you have to protect our libraries in the digital age?