Will the Stimulus Package save LT's future? Library Technology is in constant motion. Changing, adapting, continually evolving to keep up with the times. As with anything, this takes money. As most of us are aware, our nation's economy has seen better days. Funding for education and public services is being drastically reduced, or eliminated all together. Unfortunately this includes libraries. This very week, President Obama signed off on his $775 billion dollar stimulus package, a package that claims to help spur our countries economy, and restore order to what has become a financial nightmare.
Daniel A. Freeman wrote an article "Where is Library Technology in the Stimulus?", addressing this question on so many librarians and library technicians minds. According to his article, "the slowdown in economic growth has not slowed the growing popularity of new, bandwidth intensive technology." This is unfortunate for libraries because public library use is rapidly on the rise due to this sluggish economy, forcing people to cut back on luxuries such as broadband internet access at home. In a functioning economy this wouldn't present a problem, but the funds libraries typically have set aside for library improvements are having to be spent to keep faciltites open and ensure that basic services can be provided.
In a recent interview with Alan Inouye, the director of ALA's Office of Information Technology Policy, Mr. Inouye stated, "Of course in the near-term, many states and localities and private sector organizations are experiencing difficult financial conditions, adversely affecting public, academic, school, and other libraries. But there is some hope as the Obama Administration’s stimulus package is expected to place some emphasis (and provide some cash!) on national broadband infrastructure build-out and aid to states and localities. And ALA’s Washington Office is working vigorously to include libraries in the relevant parts of the stimulus package. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continues its hardware grants under its Opportunity Online program and just announced its intention to make broadband grants under this program. Finally, OITP continues its efforts to increase library participation in the E-rate program, both helping applicants through the application process and advocating for program simplification."
So in the end it seems only time will tell if Library Technology will weather the storm that we all face.
Until next time...Matt Marshall
