Topic:
"Many libraries are facing rising costs while their budgets remain flat or have been cut. Now is your time to vent! During this discussion group, we’ll talk about the budgetary challenges facing your libraries and strategies to help mitigate cuts while also communicating with patrons about reduced resources or services."
Points Discussed:
- For academics, some schools are not making their target enrollments and even those that are, they are not getting enough full-pay students to balance their budget.
- Most institutional budgets are stable for this year, but many are expecting cuts once the federal budget cuts for 2026 take effect.
- The Center for Disease Control's library has been closed due to layoffs.
- Several institutions are under the threat of lossing staff positions after staff member retirement.
- Materials/holdings cuts are also possible for some.
- Advocacy important to stop cuts but difficult since many administrators don't know what the library or librarians do.
- Loss of staff makes advocacy even harder since librarians don't have any time available.
- How can you do the same work with less people to do it?
- Website for explanation of eresources costs: https://www.livebrary.com/econtentFAQs
- Some administrators are looking at AI as a replacement for libraries/librarians.
- Librarians can be their own worst enemies, trying to help/accomplish everything even without the staff to do it.
- It is possible to do self promotion on TV news, but hard to find those willing to be interviewed.
- Budget votes are really problematic for many districts, even for very small increases.
