The Status of Public Library Funding 2003–2005: Impact of Local Operating Revenue Fluctuations

There has long been concern about the status of public library funding. Although libraries annually report revenue and expenditures to State Libraries, and to a federal library system for public library data, it was difficult to ascertain the extent of mid-year increases and reductions. Also, lags in access to national data about the condition of public libraries increased the need for this study. The preliminary findings of a national study of funding issues in U.S. public libraries during fiscal years 2003–2005, and expectations for funding in fiscal year 2006 are presented here. The complete report, released by ALA in spring 2006 (ISBN 0-8389-8372-3), is available by contacting the author.