Mission Creep In Library System Deserves Fresh, Closer Look

Published: Jul 29, 2007

The Hillsborough County Library System tries hard to be all things to all people. Perhaps too hard.

With people increasingly accessing information online, libraries have quietly grown their mission beyond simply circulating books and researching questions. Today, they also serve as computer centers, neighborhood meeting spots, art galleries, tutoring sites and even homeless centers.

Some in county government believe every neighborhood deserves a library, so plans have been developed to build more and more. But such convenience carries a high cost, and taxpayers are in revolt over costs that have grown too great.

So library system Director Joe Stines and his board are tightening their belts. Last week, they announced plans to lay off 92 part-time library workers, leaving a handful of full-time workers to re-shelve books. Rather than asking highly paid administrators to restock shelves, a more considered plan would have surgically pared staffing at all levels.

At the same time, the county announced plans to freeze the construction of six new libraries. But within days, funding for two of the six libraries - in Seffner-Mango and North Tampa - were restored to the funding list.

The facilities may well be needed. They have topped the priority list for many years. In North Tampa's case, the library will replace an aging building that offers limited computer access.

But in discussing the demand for new libraries, it becomes clear that the role of libraries has evolved. You could even call it "mission creep."

Today, the top priorities are more computer labs and more public meeting space. Book collections are deliberately being kept small.

So make no mistake about it. The construction of new branch libraries is mostly about adding value to neighborhoods, not about getting more books to more people.

If circulating books were the top priority, the library might decide it makes more sense to buy more bookmobiles, since the current two mobile units have been wildly successful.

The number of books circulated by a bookmobile that travels to senior centers is up 248 percent in the past year, while the number of books checked out of libraries has remained flat. Similarly, circulation from a Cybermobile that takes books and computers to rural areas is up 176 percent.

These traveling repositories, which served about 30,000 people last year, model an opportunity for reaching new users at a fraction of the cost of building and staffing new libraries.

If, on the other hand, computer access is now the top priority, the library board should explore partnerships with other agencies or businesses. Perhaps it could team up with the neighborhood recreation centers, which also want to provide computer access to kids and seniors.

In the meantime, the board was wise to limit Internet computer time to two hours per person per day. It turns out that some citizens have been running their businesses from library computers, hogging them all day. While the new time limit may inconvenience a few, it will avoid the need for new buildings to meet the growing demand for public computers.

Other opportunities, too, would allow the library board to reshape the future in more economical ways.

Perhaps it could find more new synergies with the Hillsborough County School Board. Already, new libraries are being built next to schools to avoid additional land costs, maximize the use of public buildings and help schools upgrade their media collections.

The board might also want to review its reciprocal agreement with Pasco County, a deal that's become a mostly one-way street and gives Pasco a pass on building sufficient libraries for its neighborhoods near the county line. While we want to be good neighbors, it's hard to see how this agreement serves Hillsborough taxpayers.

Another good place to cut is the heavy focus on movies. While it makes sense for libraries to stock the classics and documentaries, there's no reason to stock the latest Hollywood shoot 'em up. If people want to watch such movies, the private market offers ample opportunities. Besides, libraries are having a tough time keeping track of movies, and spending much too much to replace lost copies.

And in refocusing its mission, the system also should reconsider the wisdom of saying yes to social events - such as Dance Dance Revolution. While the goal is noble - getting teenagers to the library - teens who arrive to play free video games aren't there for the books.

For library purists, it's sad to learn that neighborhood libraries aren't cherished for the printed word, but for the computers, meeting space and game events.

Given this new reality, Hillsborough's library system needs a new strategy. If we want to make libraries de facto community centers, how they are financed should be reconsidered.

It's time to look at the library system with fresh eyes, and for leaders to tell squeaky-wheel advocates that they can't have it all.