This document provides information on creative budgeting and fundraising strategies for libraries facing funding cuts. It discusses how public libraries rely heavily on local government funding but have seen budget cuts of 10-30% in some areas. Academic libraries also face state funding reductions. The document outlines cost-cutting measures libraries have implemented, such as reducing hours and staff. It also describes innovative fundraising ideas like library-themed mini golf tournaments and collaborations with sports teams. Throughout, the document emphasizes the importance of advocacy, volunteers, technology use, and consortia partnerships in helping libraries do more with less funding.

1. CREATIVE BUDGETING
AND FUNDRAISING
Emily Aaronson, Darren Ilett, Snow Marlonsson, Tory
Nachreiner

2. Sources of Funding for Public
Libraries

Variable, indirect1
•
81.4% Local Govt.
•
9.6% State Govt.
•
8.4% Nontax
Sources
•
0.5% Federal

3. Sources of Funding for Academic
Libraries2
•
Tuition, Fees
•
Self-Supporting Activities
•
State & Local
•
Fundraising
Govt.
•
Hospitals
•
Gifts, Endowments • Corporations
•
Appropriations
•
Federal Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sjsulibrary.jpg
Image source:
•
Research

4. Cuts in Public Library
Funding3

5. Doing More with Less3

6. Cuts in Academic Library
Funding

State funding cuts
vary4
•
-2.8% Midwest
•
-33.9% West/Mountain
•
-8.3% Overall

7. Example: Effects of Cuts

Jacksonville (Florida) Public Library
Budget5
•
To be cut 11%, $4.66 million
•
Close library one day a week
•
Reduce hours during week
•
Cut materials budget by half
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jacksonville_library.JPG

8. Introduction: Creative
Budgeting

Definition
•
Not common when budget is strong
•
Result of cuts
•
Outside established norms

9. Cost-Saving Measures








Freeze Hiring6
Reduce Hours7, 8
Close Branches8
Cross-Train Employees6
Delay Renovations7
Draw on Volunteers6
Re-Negotiate Vendor
Agreements6
Join Consortia6

10. Creative Budgeting: Public
Libraries

Technology & Budgeting
•
Reduce Personnel Costs4
•
Help Make Informed Budget Decisions4
•
Make Room for
Upgrades9
•
Buy Parts from
Resellers9
Image source: http://chesnuttlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/robert2bat2bthe2bselfcheckout.jpg

11. Creative Budgeting: Public
Libraries

Volunteers & Re-Use
•
Creative Re-Use, Repair10
•
Sharing Used Equipment10
•
Librarian at
Gnadenhutten Public
Library in Ohio
6
Recycled Materials in Programming
Image source: http://olcsmalllibraries.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/gallery.jpg

12. Creative Budgeting: Academic
Libraries
 Southern Illinois University at
Carbondale11
•
6% budget cut
•
17 out of 22 staff on strike
•
Research DIY mold remediation
•
Cleaned 5,000 volumes
Image source: http://www.wikihow.com/images/4/42/Remove-Mold-and-Mildew-Step-13.jpg

13. Creative Budgeting: Academic
Libraries

Consortia
Librarian at Bayero University
Library in Nigeria
•
University of California system12
•
University Libraries in Nigeria13
•
Share, distribute collections12
•
Researched which journals to keep in house12, 13
•
Types: Union Catalogs & Licensing Electronic
14
Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2011_library_Bayero_University_in_Kano_Nigeria_5600404314.jpg
Materials

14. Creative Budgeting: Special
Libraries

61% Face Cuts or Elimination15

Advertising Services Helps Save
Libraries15
•
KPMG National Tax Library Rebranded Itself
•
Engineering Firm Library Increased Visibility

15. Introduction: Fundraising

Typical Fundraising
•
•
Donors
•
Grants
•
Book Sale at University of
Wisconsin-Madison Library
Book Sales
Friends of the
Library
Image source: http://www.library.wisc.edu/friends/book-sales.html

16. Friends of the Library
Definition, Description16

•
Governed by Board, Constitution
•
Provide Advocacy
•
Help Raise Funds
•
Network with Community
•
Raise Awareness
Image source: http://www.ccpl.lib.fl.us/

17. 
Creative Fundraising: Public
Libraries
Advocacy, Political Initiatives
•
Indianapolis-Marion County Library
System17
 Advocated
•
for new Legislation
Troy (Michigan) Public Library18

Campaigned to Raise Awareness
about Ballot Measure
Image source: http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/experience/2012/5/troy_book_burning_party_sign.jpg

18. Creative Fundraising: Public
Libraries
Putting the “Fun” Back in
“Fundraiser”

•
Vienna Public Library’s “Sex Line”19
 Readings
•
of erotica from classic lit.
Safety Harbor (FL) Public Library’ Chair-ity20
 Artists
decorate chairs, visitors vote,
chairs as prizes
•
Mini Golf21
Image source: http://safetyharbor.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/library-chair-ity-fundraiser-enters-final-week

19. Creative Fundraising: Academic
Libraries
Libraries and College Sports

•
Louisiana Library Network
 Leveraged
•
Threat of Losing NCAA Status22
Texas A&M Library
 Collaborated
•
with Football Team23
University of Michigan
 Sold
Turf Patches23
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Texas_A%26M_University_aTm_logo.svg

20. Creative Fundraising: Academic
Libraries

University of Maryland-Baltimore
County24

Media Specialist Collaborated with...
 Friends of Library

Student Groups
 Faculty

Showcased Donations to Garner More

Gathered Scattered Media Resources

Sought Win-Win Collaborations

21. Creative Fundraising: Special
Libraries

North Carolina Special Libraries
Association


Partnered with Car Wash Company25
Special Libraries Association

Held Online Auction26
Image source: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/07/organizations/altaff-to-support-itself-changes-name-to-united-for-libraries/
ALA’s United for Libraries Offers Tips27

22. Fundraising Resources

ALA Handbook: Frontline Fundraising
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/frontlinefundraising

Fundraising Ideas from Friends of Libraries
USA
http://www.folusa.org/sharing/fundraising.php

Fundraising Tips from Friends of Libraries
USA
http://www.folusa.org/resources/html-versions/fact-sheet-2.php

Fundraising Ideas from Techsoup for Libraries
http://techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/creative-fundraising-ideas-forlibraries

47 Fundraising Tips from University Business
http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/general-

23. Conclusion

Work with What You Have

Control the Message in Good & Bad
Economy:

“We provide high quality programs and services
in
all times”28

Solid Institution in an Uncertain World

24. References
1.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2007).
Retrieved from nces.ed.gov
2.
Source?
3.
American Library Association. (2012). 2012 public library
funding and technology access study press kit. Retrieved
from
http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/plfta
s12
4.
Schwartz, M. (2013). The budget balancing act: LJ’s
budget survey shows modest improvement, and signs of
more to come. Library Journal. Retrieved from

25. References
5.
Schwartz, M., Binette, P., Warburton, B., & Weiss, L. B.
(2012). Jacksonville budget cuts reduce library services.
Library Journal, 137(14), 14.
6.
Blumberg, S. (2012). Library service in a tight economy.
Voice of Youth Advocates, 35(2), 116.
7.
Richardson, L. (2010, August 14). Minersville
library, others get creative to deal with budget cuts.
Republican Herald. Retrieved from
http://republicanherald.com/news/minersville-libraryothers-get-creative-to-deal-with-budget-cuts-1.947153
8.
Dougherty, R. M. (2009). Prescription for Financial

26. References
Griffey, J., Clark, L., & Davis, D. (2009). Doing More
with Less. Library Technology Reports, 45(1), 35-37.
10. Barlow, E. (2013, September 12). A fresh face on a
tight budget. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from
http:// olcsmalllibraries.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/afresh-face-on-a-tight-budget/
11. Mosbo, J. (2013). Poor man's preservation: Mold
remediation on a budget. Technical Services
Quarterly, 30(4), 388-401.
12. Howard, J. (2009). Libraries innovate to counter
crisis. Chronicle of Higher Education, 56(14), A1-A9.
9.

27. References
13.
Goodluck, I. (2012). Sustainable consortium building
among university libraries in Nigeria: Adoption of new
strategies. The International Information & Library
Review, 44, 8-12.
14.
Wiser, J. (2012). "Playing well with others": New
opportunities for library consortia. Theological
Librarianship, 5(2), 43-47.
15.
Fletcher, A., Franklin, M., Garczynski, J., Gilbert, G.,
Mathis, S., & Wang, P. (2009). Saving special libraries in
a recession: Business strategies for survival and
success. Information Outlook, 13(5), 37-43.

28. References
17.
18.
19.
20.
Jarosz, F. (2010, October 9). Ailing library eyes new
funding source. Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved
from http://www.ibj.com/ailing-library-eyes-new-fundingsource/PARAMS/article/22751
Burnett, L. (2012, January 27). Book burning party – Troy
Library. Retrieved from http://vimeo.com/35758683
Poupard, L. V. (2007, May 11). Vienna Library runs phone
sex line. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/viennalibrary- runs-phone-sex-line-336689.html
Rosenfield, J. (2013, May 7). Library chair-ity fundraiser
enters final week. Retrieved from
http://safetyharbor.patch.com/ groups/aroundtown/p/library-chair-ity-fundraiser-enters-final-week

29. References
21.
Library Mini Golf. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.libraryminigolf.com/
22.
Niemla, K., Matthews, M., & Zimmerman, S. (2012).
The razor’s edge: Louisiana’s state budget and the
serials crisis of 2010-2012. The Serials
Librarian, 62, 140-150.
23.
Neal, J. G. (1997). College sports and library
fundraising. The Bottom Line, 10(2), 58-59.
24.
Clark, J. (2011). Creative fundraising through campus
collaborations. Journal of Library Innovation, 2(2), 6267.

30. References
25.
26.
27.
28.
North Carolina Special Libraries Association. (2012).
NCSLA Fundraiser – We Need YOU! Retrieved from
http://ncarolina. sla.org/autobel/
Special Library Association. (2005). Retrieved from http://
www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?a
uctionId=46124192
United for Libraries. (2012). Fact sheet #2 for Friends and
Foundations. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/united/
sites/ala.org.united/files/content/friends/factsheets/unitedf
f2.pdf
Pearson, P. (2009). Fundraising and advocacy in tough
times. Public Libraries, 48(4), 21-23.