Whenever an anarchist says, "Taxation is theft, and government shouldn't provide service X, Y, or Z," the obvious question is how to replace that government funding. In a previous post, I discussed some historical precedents of voluntary road projects. Here, I hope to propose some solutions to library funding and start a serious conversation on alternatives.
First, the moral argument: Libraries are definitely a positive part of the community, but this does not justify theft. Library funding in most communities is through property taxes. This means that government agents threaten to steal homes and businesses in order to fund the library. This is wrong. While libraries themselves are good, the current means do not justify the ends. But how can this funding be replaced?
Second, who uses the library? Libraries are not obsolete. The library system where I work has shown growth in membership numbers and circulation for many years, and there are people who highly value what it offers. Schoolchildren want both computer access and book resources for projects, not to mention a fiction selection ranging from picture books through young adult fiction. Homeschooling families want literature and non-fiction collections covering the needs of an entire K-12 education curriculum. There is a large community interested in self-sufficiency, including construction, hobby farming, gardening, and livestock. Many adults want the latest popular fiction. DVD circulation is high across all categories. Especially during summer, audiobooks are popular as families look for entertainment while traveling. The shotgun approach of "Provide as much of everything as possible" can appear to serve the community, but fails to tailor the collection for any specific need. How can the public be better served?
With this in mind, here are some possible changes:
Cut costs
Source: Flickr
Before a new model is established, the old model needs to be reconsidered. Library bureaucracy is a major hurdle to progress. The constant meetings and rigid hierarchy restrict adaptation and growth for all member libraries, and the policy changes have led to the loss of good people along with the addition of expensive and chaotic transitions. This isn't sustainable outside a government-funded system.
If libraries better coordinate their collections, they can ensure that less-popular items can still be requested while improving the use of shelf space in all member libraries. The network where I work has proposed, but failed to implement, the idea of a central warehouse within its courier delivery system so less-popular titles can be held with just a couple copies at a central location and delivered on demand to any branch within a few days. Instead of having copies of all the old James Patterson and Danielle Steele books at every single branch location, only the most recent releases would need to be kept on the shelf, greatly increasing the available shelving space just from those two authors alone! If this were implemented, collections could be more diverse at each location, or the shelving could be reduced to improve the use of existing library space.
Other possibilities include an increased use of self-checkout stations to reduce staffing costs and adjusting library hours or staffing levels can better serve a given community's needs. Many library database subscriptions are very expensive but of minimal use to anyone. Free options like Khan Academy are far superior to most of the typical library educational resources, for example.
Book Sales and Collection Policy Updates
Source: Wikimedia
The decline of local book stores should be offering an opportunity for local libraries to fill that gap and sell gently-used books. Selling 10¢ paperbacks is a great bargain for readers, but a huge cost to the library. Admittedly, many of these paperbacks are not quality literature in the first place, but the internet should offer opportunity to better distribute donated books and discarded materials.
Responsible collections curation has its own set of pitfalls. Many books are purchased at full price only to sit on the shelf unread for 5 or ten years, and then be sold for a pittance. Not only is the cost of the book a waste, but the shelf space is also wasted for that entire time. However, while refusal to stock items that will at best be of interest for only a short time coughfiftyshadesofgreycough - ahem, excuse me there - is arguably responsible use of funds and shelf space, it could easily be perceived as CENSORSHIP. This is a fine line to walk, and requires a clear collections policy to ensure public understanding.
Philanthropy
There are still libraries funded through philanthropic trusts, especially on the East Coast. While major benefactors are unlikely to cover the costs of all current libraries, any number of community organizations, businesses, and individuals could be encouraged to help establish trust funds to cover library costs over the long term.
Sponsorship and Advertisement
While the idea of corporate influence over information access is distasteful, major businesses could be encouraged to fund libraries in exchange for various considerations. Independent watchdog organizations already exist, and new ones could certainly be established to ensure that there is no undue influence on the access and collections policies.
Recycling
Source: Pixabay
There is money in metals. If libraries were collection points for aluminum, copper, iron, scrap electronics, and other materials that can be recycled at a profit, a new revenue stream could be developed at no cost to patrons. Return your books and drop off your scrap metal all in one trip! Quantities that are too small to be worth recycling for individuals could add up fast when gathered at one point. As an added bonus, this increases the visibility of the library as a force for progress as it encourages responsible use of the earth's resources.
Subscriptions
There is room to adapt to modern technology, and the popularity of offering a wifi hotspot to the public is only the tip of the iceberg. Many libraries are experimenting with makerspaces, and there is a maker club in a nearby town that thrives under a subscription model already. Free library cards are a great idea, but the status quo isn't actually free. The costs are just hidden behind government bureaucracy. These fees would need to be kept low, though.
Conference Room Fees
Many libraries have one or more conference rooms, and these could be made available to outside organizations for a fee. Such fees could still always be waived for non-profit organizations and community groups such as 4H. However, charging a fee to businesses that need a local meeting space could be mutually-beneficial for all parties. It raises awareness of the library and funds operations while filling a community need.
Events
While the desire to offer free programs to the public is laudable, libraries still have to foot the bill for speaker fees, refreshments, staff wages, cleanup, materials, and more. Perhaps admission should be charged for some events.
Raffles
Source: Flickr
In the USA, at least, state governments claim a monopoly in lottery administration. However, raffles are still a legal alternative that could potentially fund specific programs. Specifics would be up to individual libraries, but this could be an effective means to fund major events such as summer reading programs.
Food and Beverages
Coffee bars, snack machines, or even sandwich shops could be incorporated into a library space. Alcohol could even be an option, depending on the patron demographics, but this creates all sorts of new headaches under the current political system, so it's probably a poor choice at present.
Crowdsourcing
Here's where you come in, readers: What are your ideas to reduce costs and generate revenue to fund a library system without aggression against your neighbors?
