In his study “Impact of a Great Recession on Library Use: Does a Negative Economy Impact Library Use?<\/a>,” Michael Mabe looked at what happened in libraries looking at usage data from before the Great Recession and during the Great Recession. He found that not only did no library in his sample show a reduction in use, but he found statistically significant evidence that:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n In looking at the same years and starting with the same metrics, I found that Massachusetts libraries’ usage was affected during the Great Recession in the following ways:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also found that during the Great Recession, Massachusetts libraries had:\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n I’ve also outlined many of the findings I’ve described in this series in an infographic which you can download and use here<\/a>:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ve used averages for all MA libraries for 2 reasons: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) to make the data I used as comparable as possible to the original study and <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) because calculating the numbers for all 351 municipalities is not a project that normal working hours would allow me to take on. But while the numbers for libraries across the state tell a powerful story, when it comes to how you tell your library’s story, it may also be helpful to demonstrate how a future economic downturn may affect your library, specifically in the context of these averages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To that end, I have also created an editable template<\/a> of the above infographic and an accompanying spreadsheet<\/a> that you can use to learn and share more about what a recession may look like for your library. Feel free to use this information and infographic to highlight the most impactful statistics that demonstrate what your library will experience should the statewide percentages hold true in a future economic downturn. Add your library’s logo and branded colors. Then, use it to tell anyone who may advocate for, have control over, and want to learn more about YOUR library and its budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Please keep in mind a few things to help ensure that whatever you might put out does not get misconstrued or perceived as disingenuous:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have before stressed that librarians are professionals and, by extension, the field of library studies is a solid, professional field. We can (and should) use the tools other professionals employ to make their case, to make the case for our libraries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope you find this information and these tools helpful to you in some way. I’ll be poking around some more rabbit holes in the search for more information, policy best practices, and tools that hopefully, you will also consider helpful additional ways to fortify your library.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Massachusetts: Libraries Did More…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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…With Less<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nYour Library’s Story, In Context<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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