Our group conversation last week about library futures and Michigan futures was very enlightening for me. I’m a believer in local politics—I think all politics are at base, local. That’s where we can get a handle on an issue and be an active part in making the world more livable. The economic situation we are in obviously is global in scope, but I think libraries are poised to be a crucial part of local strategies to weather the crises.
In this week’s reading, we read about the “disconnected,” or the millions of 18-24 year olds who are not in school and not employed. Low literacy rates are part of the problem, just as they are in Michigan generally and the Detroit Metro area more specifically. This article from the New York Times highlights the struggles of Michiganders, who have already been experiencing a state-wide recession for some 5 years. Michigan ranks 35th in college graduates despite having a renowned state university and several more rock solid state schools (like WSU). Low rates of “basic skills” like literacy, and fewer college graduates means that Michigan as a whole doesn’t have the competitive workforce it will need to attract non-auto industries, like tech and motion picture production, which might otherwise seek a state like Michigan, which has a low cost of living and plenty to offer in terms of landscape and recreation.
This is where librarians and other information professionals come in. Certainly, a lot of the work of “promoting life-long learning” (as the ALA calls it) is a public library vocation. But instilling auto-didacticism—curiosity and interest in self-teaching—is the role of all of the folks working in the field. Sometimes it is just making sure people find what they want (or something they really are satisfied with, even if it wasn’t exactly what they asked for) with minimal effort is the first step in building a relationship. A hassle-free first encounter will bring patrons, readers, users, or clients—whatever the agency calls its constituents—back again. It waters the seed of interest, of curiosity. That’s the foundation of self-education that will help adults re-tool for life in the recession, and life after the recession. I think this is true for any kind of library, from a school library, to a public library, to an archive, to a law library, to a corporate library: knowledge is the hook, and if they can get it easy until they are comfortable with the workings of the library, they will soon be willing to dig deeper to find more of what they want and need.
That persistence is what it may take for people to weather whatever’s to come. Libraries will have to operate with smaller budgets and with higher use and circulation rates. I think it will be challenging. I also think it will be a rewarding time to work at one of the few places in our culture where you can get something extremely valuable for free (and I don’t mean books for unscrupulous constituents to abscond with). Libraries can renew their role as part of a very American (though probably not uniquely American) tradition of self-education. Perhaps I’m just dwelling on the silver lining from my sheltered cinderblock [definitely not ivory] tower. I’m gainfully employed (knock wood), so I don’t mean to downplay the difficulty for folks who are unemployed and/or facing foreclosure. But I do mean to play up the important—and therefore exciting—role of librarians and other information specialists in helping people help themselves right now when we really need it.
(That’s all, but BTW, the Detroit News published the 2009 tax foreclosure list today, and it was 137 full newspaper pages of small print, listing all of the properties in Wayne County whose owners are behind on their property taxes. I have no idea what it might normally look like, but it is an impressive stack of paper.)
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With Michigan’s economy failing, it is only a matter of time before schools begin to suffer too. Michigan’s government has been able to create great schools through tax revenue. However, Michigan’s tax code has never been very hospitable to business (For example, Volkswagen recently had the opportunity to move a plant to MI. Although there were already buildings here for them to move into, they chose to go to TN and build their own plant instead). Michigan has been able to keep high business tax because the big three weren’t going anywhere and they were able to creat a strong economy. However, as it is well known, that is changing quickly. With the big three failing and little incentive for new business to come to MI, tax dollars are going to decrease and we will see schools suffer.
In this dire situation, libraries will really need to step up and help their communities. A good start is what many school districts are doing already. K-2 are required to go to library once a week. 3-5 also attend the school library as part of class, but on a different schedule. The librarians at these elementary schools have curriculums just like teachers. They promote reading and literacy and try to get the kids interested in the library. Starting at this young age is important for creating life-long learners.
Public libraries may also want to look at what kinds of programs they can offer and what kind of books to add to the collection. The library I work at has a nice career section which sees a lot of circulation. It also has programs like Battle of the Books which get upper elementary school kids interested in the library. One other thing libraries may want to consider is a reduction in fines or a more relaxed policy.
I think libraries should start to reevaluating their policies and look at how they can better encourage literacy and better serve their community.
The economic crisis is attacking everywhere in the United States. While the eyes are on Wall Street, I think that the State of Michigan will be affected the most. The majority of tax payers in Michigan work in auto related industry. If these citizens lose their jobs, this will lead to a decrease in taxes which are the main funding source of libraries and education. Even if I don’t believe in giving money to the big three, I think that the failure of the auto industry will be catastrophic.
Michigan is already suffering from illiteracy problem. However, with more unemployed persons and less money to the libraries and schools the situation will be worse. In my opinion, it is time for the local government to move and updated the state’s policies and laws in order to attract investments. The state already has an excellent infrastructure and expert workforce for auto industry. If the big three falls, there are hundreds of auto makers around the world who would like to invest in the United States, why we don’t attract them to Michigan?
The state of Michigan has some prominent universities that are known around the country as well. With the help of the local government, many researches can be done about the future of Michigan. Also, local public libraries should collaborate in fighting illiteracy since they are more involved in their social surroundings.
I think it is time for America to be more socialist and for the community to work as a union in order to face the economical challenges. Libraries can perform better when they serve a coherent society. They can be the leaders in building this social collaboration between the people and the government.
I agree with the Michigan State University Professor from the article that is blaming what is happening in Michigan on the fact that the state has put all of its eggs in one basket, the auto industry. Like he said, during the middle of the 20th century that strategy was golden but the auto industries inability to change in addition to Michigan’s inability to diversify their economy, to take some of those eggs and place them elsewhere, is the reason that we are in the situation that we are in today. Investing time and money in education in that would eventually lead to more skilled workers to take positions in areas other than the auto industry. An investment in education would have also lead to ingenuity and creativity in the job market. It sad to me, being a native Michigander, that our educational system is only 35th in the country and to me this is something that needs immediate attention not only for the sake of education itself but also for the future of Michigan’s economy.
Governor Granholm was quoted in the article saying that she has restructured many of the state’s policies to provide aide to the state, but that they are all long-term changes and that they will take time. She reminds the readers that Michigan didn’t get in this position over night and it will take time to remedy these situations however, she has been in office for almost 6 years now so is this one of the cases of it has to get terribly worse before it gets any better? Understandably she did inherit a large budget deficit and the economy has been flailing for a while now, but I just hope that these long term policy changes that she is talking about, are tailored to move Michigan in a new direction, obviously economically but also in terms of diversifying the job market for the state.
Michigan and the auto industry is important to the US economy, but they need to adapt to the changing times, (and go green.) If I ever bought a foreign car my mom would probably disown me, but Americans want a high quality car for cheap. That makes sense.
I’m no economist, but it seems that America needs to find away to control (or heavily tax) the greed (the downfall of capitalism) of many corporations. Shipping jobs overseas for cheaper labor will result in not only the loss of American unions, but the middle class and more.
As for librarians, many baby boomers will be retiring in the next ten years opening up more job opportunities…in the future. For now, we’ll have to weather the storm. It seems that in these tough times librarians will be the serving as social workers as well as information professionals.
Mr Landaal is right on when he says in the article “At this point, around here, finding a job is like getting blood out of a stone.”
A couple of weeks ago the Detroit Free Press ran a cover story on 6 myths of the US auto industry. I tried to get a link but I have to pay for it. Damn information brokers! Anyway, it explains that GM and Ford make plenty of alternative vehicles that are quite affordable to buy, drive, and maintain. I own one as a matter of fact and am quite happy with it. Never mind it was assembled in Mexico; that is another story. The article went on to explain the lending situation and how people are finding it hard to even want or get the loans to get the cars when they can't even afford their house payments. This morning on my way to work I listened to some economists discussing the economy and they pretty much backed that statement up and explained that congress is bailing out the banks first so they can begin lending money again. I still think there may be more to it but it all seemed to make sense.
I live in West Michigan, close to many of the areas discussed in the article. Grand Rapids has done a good job of attempting to move into alternative industries; particularly the medical field. The furniture manufacturers are packing up and heading south and we just lost our last GM plant, the most efficient one they owned I might add. Every time I go to the library, about twice a week, it is packed. They have display tables loaded with books on subjects like furthering education and budget planning. My wife's friend just lost her house and her job and had a baby boy. She goes there to use the computer since she cannot afford one or internet access if she did. I am proud to see the libraries in my area providing things like this to help the community and I am affirmed in my decision of field choice. If I am able to find job in it is another story....
Though MI has a low number of college graduates, they need to also create an incentive for graduates to move here. I've been planning to leave the state for some time now, and I'm sure I am not alone. Obviously, more jobs need to be created to bring in these grads, and that's the number one problem here. More grads from other states would help create a competitive workforce as well.
My stepmother works for Michigan Works, and she has trouble placing people in jobs/job training as well, because a lot of these people are "disconnected," but were able to function at their last job for years. While Michigan Works does offer classes on literacy and getting a GED, I think forging more of a relationship with nearby libraries would be beneficial. At the very least, it would offer a wider range of materials. This way, libraries definitely would be helping people self-educate and cultivate new skills for the workforce and in their lives.
It’s sad to see that the main reasons libraries in Michigan are being used more than ever are because of the failing economy and lack of education. I am also proud to see these libraries stepping up and recognizing that they are needed more than ever. I’m with Will in his statement of being proud to be a future librarian and, I to, hope to find a job. Local libraries need to keep creating programs and helping their patrons while we all weather this storm together, and hopefully we’ll all be able to make it out alright.
P.s. Can we say George W. Bush No Child Left Behind? I’m not saying it has EVERYTHING to do with Michigan being 35th in the United States but…
I think that what is most disconcerting about the whole economic situation in Michigan is the sense of hopelessness that has taken over for many people. People who have jobs are afraid to leave them and afraid of losing them. People without jobs, especially recent graduates, are looking outside the state for work.
Rick McHugh said in the article, “A year ago, I felt like I could help people, give people advice or send them to a program that would help them. Now, I say, ‘I hope you have a relative with a house that’s paid off so you’ll have a place to live.’” Unfortunately, I think this is an all-too-common sentiment. As homeowners lose their jobs and are unable make mortgage payments or sell their homes, the homes are being foreclosed, driving them even further into debt.
Honestly, I have no idea what the answer is. Definitely change is in order, but I am unsure what changes would be best. I do know that libraries have an opportunity to help with the situation. As people turn inward to their communities for assistance, the local library can provide a wealth of needed information. The library can be the place to get the knowledge and skills to help local people in a big way.
We started the semester by talking about the phrase "information is power" and what kind of power that meant, I think here is a good example of how information can empower the population. If libraries can become a center for the kind of information that can change a persons life that is a powerful tool. However, as librarians we cannot force it upon anyone. Somewhere we have to instill in the populace a drive to learn. It's like the old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" we can have the resources but if no one uses them it doesn't do us any good. I think that helping the adult community to diversify can go hand in hand with helping the child community to learn to love libraries. If a parent takes his or her child to story time every week they are likely to see the display on starting a second career. Libraries need a full circle approach.
Will, is this the article:
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/11/19/209087.aspx
It links to the Free Press article. Check out the comments on both sites.
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