“Rural Libraries in Reno”Nevada Library Association

Bernard Vavrek, Professor and Chair, Department of Library Science, Clarion University

vavrek@clarion.eduOctober 22, 2005

Where in the world is Clarion, PA?

85 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Exit 62, Interstate 80. Near Cook Forest State Park. Community of 6,000.

Clarion University began in 1867

Approximately 6,000 students. 80 academic programs. Department of Library Science.

started in 1937. Accredited by ALA since 1976.

Outreach programs in the DLS

Harrisburg, PA. Philadelphia Free Library. Online Cohorts: Rural and Small

Libraries, School Media Services, Specialized Information Centers (2007).

Clarion campus.

Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship

Started in 1978. Educational, research, rah-rah. Publishes “Rural Libraries” and

“Bookmobiles and Outreach Services.”

www.clarion.edu/rural

New virtual library associations supported by the CSRL

Association of Rural and Small Libraries http://arsl.clarion.edu

Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services http://abos.clarion.edu

Please join on complimentary basis. Otherwise, dues is $39/year for

each.

Assignment is to define the current culture of rural and small libraries

“Rural” means many things. Depending on the section of the

country, rural places are disappearing as exurbanization takes place.

Rural is equated with “country.” “Where all the women are strong,

the men good-looking, and the children are above average?”

Rural places include those that are

Farming. Industrial. Ranch. Resort. Extractive. College/university. Seats of government. New housing developments.

Depends who defines it

In Canada, e.g., rural consists of places of fewer than 1000 people.

In US, urban starts at 2500 folks. Recently, in the US, “micropolitan”

has been introduced to identify towns of fewer than 10,000.

Rural=nonmetroplitan.

And the numbers show

That most Americans live in urban [suburban] places.

The rural population is about 49 million.

PA has the largest rural population with about 4 million.

Largest growth is by Hispanics, 25%.

Advantages of living in rural places

Far from the madding crowd. More room to breath. Sense of “community.” Where everyone knows your name. Cost of living. Relative safety.

Disadvantages of living in rural places

Distances between places. Lack of services. Less income, education, food, etc. Problems of abuse, despair etc. Methamphetamine labs. As a soldier, better chance of being

sent to Iraq to serve.

Challenges for declining rural areas

Believing the rural “myth.” Providing a modern infrastructure. Keeping young people at home. Broadband access to the Net. Keeping services available. Being optimistic for the future.

Challenges for places that are developing

Not enough roads, schools, and overall infrastructure.

Conflict between the “come here’s” and locals.

Saying, no, to McDonald’s. The aroma of fertilizer in the air

during garden parties. Believing the “rural myth.”

Public libraries serving <2,500

29% (2,666) of 9,137 total libraries. Public Internet terminals—3. Total operating income--$37,374. On average, one paid FTE staff. 9% (242) have ALA/MLS librarian. Books/serial volumes—11,414.

Public libraries serving <25,000

79% (7,185) of 9,137 total libraries. Public Internet terminals—5. Total operating income--$201,005. On average, four paid FTE staff. 33% (2364)--ALA/MLS librarian. Books/serial volumes—27,607.

Some national “library’ trends

Rural libraries are a "hot” topic. Major players include: Western

Council of State Libraries; Gates Foundation; [CA] Rural Library Initiative, ALA/OLOS, etc.

Bookmobiles are rolling along. Opportunities for distant learning. Technology is “wagging the dog.”

Lingering library issues

Budgetary concerns. Insufficient number of staff. Training and education of staff. Identifying public’s perception. Articulating goals/objectives. Maintenance of technology. Keeping “technology” in its place.

Technology: unanswered questions

Effect on key borrowers? Are there sustainable budgets? And the poor will inherit the tech? Disinterest by staff? Effect on future staffing? Does it increase remoteness?

And the future is?

Concepts of rural and urban will continue to mix. It will not make any difference where a library is located.

The key issue will be for library and community leaders to work together to define the role of their library and insure its sustainability.

The End.