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Area of Focus: Libraries
Libraries face unique issues regarding how they are structured and funded. Changes in society, including new technology and a push for wider units of service, require new responses from libraries, but public awareness often lags behind the reality. Consensus offer services to libraries that want to consider new ways to operate. Our exemplary research, understanding of industry trends and the ability to involve the public and stakeholders in a meaningful way assure positive results. Making Book: Gambling on the Future of Our Libraries
Libraries Together in Scott County
The Washington State five-year plan
Washington County (Oregon) Cooperative Library Services Funding & Governance Making Book: Gambling on the Future of Our Libraries
The geographic structure and funding systems for many metro Kansas City libraries were put in place when people visited their local libraries on foot or horseback. Today, geographical boundaries are increasingly meaningless, as the public expects more, different, and seamless quality services. How should metro Kansas City libraries best be structured, organized and funded to optimize services and performance in the future? “Making Book,” a philanthropically funded study of libraries in the five-county Kansas City metro area, recommended changes to state law in Missouri and Kansas and to local practices. Since its release in 2004, the report has received attention around the country:
- The national OCLC corporation placed it on its recommended reading list for library advocacy;
- Library Journal covered the study in a three-page article on the move to wider units of service written by Tom Hennen;
- Public Library Quarterly will print the executive summary, along with comments from the director of the Kansas City Public Library, in an upcoming issue;
- At least one graduate school of library and information science has made the report required reading; and
- Librarians distributed the report widely through library listservs and many contacted Consensus with praise.
Libraries Together in Scott County
In 2005, four public libraries in Scott County, Iowa, hired Consensus to conduct a ten-month, $110,000 study of various ways they could be structured, funded and governed. The study was prompted by a statewide and local push for increased government efficiency; the model would be appropriate anywhere libraries are looking at reorganizing.
Consensus crafted a study that included extensive research, stakeholder interviews, and a customer-satisfaction survey, capped off by a deliberative survey and 13 deliberative forums with citizens and stakeholders. The deliberative forums and survey identified a preferred course of action and funding strategy, along with tradeoffs citizens were and were not willing to accept, and some misconceptions that the libraries would have to address in the course of making changes.
Iowa library leaders view the study as offering lessons for libraries statewide. Two state library associations, Wisconsin and Illinois, have hosted Libraries Together presentations at their annual conferences. In addition, the International Association for Public Participation included an article about the project in its May 2006 Participation Quarterly, and American Libraries covered the project in its August 2006 issue. The Washington State five-year plan
In 2006-2007, the Washington State Library engaged Consensus to produce a five-year plan for all libraries in the state, along with a revised LSTA plan and benchmarks report. The 10-month project cost $65,000.
Consensus began by developing a needs assessment that included the results of research, phone interviews with more than 30 stakeholders, and an online survey of library staff, trustees and users.
The Washington State Library then convened four, one-day future search conferences at sites throughout the state, including Everett, Olympia/Tumwater, Spokane and Kennewick. The conferences included library staff members, directors, and trustees, along with key community leaders and youth and adult library users.
During the future search conferences, participants developed a timeline of past events, a map of current trends, and scenarios for the future. They then identified key goals that they wanted to reach and developed action steps to reach those goals.
The resulting five-year plan is built around visions for the future that inspired participants, with supporting goals and objectives. WCCLS Funding & Governance: A Platform for Future Action
Where is the sweet spot when it comes to funding and governing libraries? What structure would balance the interests of all the various players? Those aren’t easy questions to answer, especially when the players include 14 very distinct libraries in just one county.
Washington County (Oregon) Cooperative Library Services hired Consensus to work with it and its member libraries to find out whether there was a better way. Consensus crunched the numbers to see how WCCLS libraries stacked up against state standards, and state and national averages. We interviewed stakeholders to find out what was and wasn’t working well. We studied state law to see what was possible. We presented alternatives, and WCCLS leadership selected their favorite options. Then we took those options to WCCLS member libraries, their stakeholders and the public in a two-week series of meetings.
After consideration, the leadership group decided that the current funding system wasn’t broken enough to make changing how libraries are governed worthwhile. As a result of the process, the group identified areas where they are enthusiastic about making improvements. Consensus left the group with a guidebook for moving forward if the situation changes and they need to implement another model.
For the final report on funding & governance
Learn more about Consensus' Team Members:
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