Do libraries give us a core service?

How crucial are libraries to a community? Beloved by many, they nonetheless are among the first places residents turn when faced with a desire to save money.

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The building housing the public library in Lake Elmo is for sale. MPR News Photo/Judy Griesedieck

We've been exploring this question as part of our "Forced to Choose" project. MPR News Ground Level reporter Jennifer Vogel is reporting on the trends and talking with Tom Crann on All Things Considered this afternoon. Then Wednesday morning, reporter Tom Robertson will report on Morning Edition from Duluth, where residents are being asked directly to pay more to keep their libraries humming.

We also asked people in our Public Insight Network to give us their thoughts. We have a lot of librarians in the network, so we heard a lot of reasons to consider libraries core services at the heart of what a community is. But we heard from others as well, some of whom wonder whether technology and cultural changes are making it necessary to think in different ways.

Here's what people told us. Add your own thoughts in the comments.

Michele McCaughtry, director, Wabasha Public Library

Library usage is higher than ever in Wabasha despite some negative talk about libraries being "non-essential" or that the Internet will replace the need for mortar and bricks building. I worry that for some people, the negative political talk will discourage use of public libraries, especially the young and old. It is a kind of "cooling," a pressure to not have people use the services, thus denying equal access to information.

Diana Tallent, director, Lonsdale Public Library

Library use increases dramatically during a recession. The first thing people get rid of when they lose their job is Internet access and many companies will only accept electronic submissions of resumes nowadays. People flock to the library to use the computers, Internet, to write resumes, to look for jobs, to apply for unemployment, to research which fields are hiring and how to train for those positions.

Terry Genelin, resident, Le Sueur

Even the poor have computers and smart phones. Libraries are fading in importance. When I do stop by I see kids playing video games and checking out music and DVDs which are available from stores in town. Enrichment activities are fine but the "GOOD" parents are the ones that use them [and] they can afford to pay for services and don't need the tax-supported system. We should consider the services to be part of the school facility making more use of the public school and eliminating the extra structure maintenance.

Sister Edith Bogue, member, Duluth Library Board

The libraries are now so busy at peak times that librarians cannot adequately respond to all questions. There are occasionally very heated situations about giving up the use of a computer or other resource when time is up, and the patrons do not have the quiet environment needed for careful reading or searching for important information.

Jim Weygand, board member, Carver County Library

Carver has a very good library system, but it is gradually moving to mediocracy. The Norwood Young America Library was replaced and the size was tripled, but because of budget cuts staffing was not increased. The Chanhassen library evening closing was moved from 9 p.m. to 8 p.m., shortening the available hours as well as affecting availability for evening meetings of many groups.

Stacia Marlett, volunteer, Golden Valley Library

The Golden Valley library is always busy, with adults and kids. I know that the shelves there are messier and fuller than I'm sure the librarians would like. This means people have trouble finding the items they want, which means they are either left dissatisfied or have to get a librarian to help them, which ties up the librarians from doing the tidy work necessary for a good experience.

Jamie Stanley, reference librarian, Northfield Public Library

Libraries are a refuge for the disenfranchised and can help public school students who have a need for a space to work and for information related to their education. Libraries are core, but the city of Northfield doesn't think so. It's the old story of pitting the library against police and fire. To go head to head with this "law and order" thinking is a no win for the public library. Frightening.

Mel Strand, resident, Waseca.

With our schools under great financial pressure, students are relying on the library for more up-to-date equipment, references, and materials than the school can provide. People are also turning to the library for entertainment materials, including books, music, CDs, etc., and job searches because of tough economic times in this small community. The Library is a major basis for community activity. I doubt that most people realize its importance, including our local politicians.

Rick Morris, resident, Waseca.

Libraries are a quality of life issue for me. A place to go for cheap books in my case, but for others it's a source for kids reading programs, computer services for those who can't afford a computer in the home, a social hangout for those who read the Wall street journal, a source for answers to crossword puzzles etc. In this day and age it is evolving into a new entity. I don't know what it will become but I don't believe reduced funding is the answer. New E-books and technological surprises should be a part of the new library, not a substitute for them.

Joel Groebner, resident, Waseca

It used to more quiet. Now the librarians, especially the director are some of the loudest and most boisterous. It appears to have become a day care center with no supervision or oversight. I have witnessed very inappropriate use on the computers.

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