Statistics show need for new library.

 “There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library.”  ~Andrew Carnegie

The Grand Forks Public Library is the cornerstone of our community, a public institution of immeasurable worth to the responsible citizens of Grand Forks and the surrounding area – and it needs your help.

Thanks to all of you, we’ve outgrown our current library and desperately need more space to accommodate your reading, research and relaxation needs. Vote YES for a larger, light-filled, comfortable and safe environment!

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Like thousands of public libraries across the United States, the first Grand Forks Public Library building was constructed with funding provided by Andrew Carnegie. It was located downtown on the corner of 5^th and Alpha from 1903 until 1972, when a new library was built at 2110 Library Circle.

The new library seemed large at 31,415 sq. ft. but it was soon apparent that more space was needed. In 1984, an expansion project added 4,500 sq. ft. for a new Children’s Department on the second floor, as well as space for the library’s first computer room. It was an exciting place for the growing community of readers.

The library’s collections and services have always kept pace with the needs of its patrons, and never more than in today’s ever-changing electronic world. The statistics below contradict the assertion that the Internet has made the Grand Forks Public Library expendable, showing instead that its use increases with every year:

	1979	2009
Population of Grand Forks County	63,425	66,585
Library visitors per year	175,000	283,956
Library visits per capita	2.76	4.26
Total number of library materials owned	137,514	314,310
Total items checked out (the largest number of any library in North Dakota)	360,128	852,129
Total interlibrary loan materials provided to other libraries	293	3,598
Total interlibrary loan items borrowed from other libraries	381	536
Items checked out per capita	5.68	12.80
Number of internet users served	N/A	52,784

Your public library continues to grow and be a vital part of Grand Forks because its mission is taken very seriously.

But… the building is the same size as it was in 1984 and library service has changed dramatically since then. Not only have we outgrown our current building; it has serious deficiencies. The wiring and the heating system have not been updated since they were installed in 1972 and are limping along with continual repairs. The lighting in the stacks is totally inadequate and there are no windows to provide natural light. The library’s bathrooms and stacks are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The existing elevator must be replaced. And so forth.

No hype. No exaggeration. We need a new library and these are the facts and statistics to prove it. 

Vote YES.

If you believe in a new library, please share this article with your family and friends. Email or post the link to your Facebook. The vote is only 12 days away! Thank you.

Q+A with Mayor Brown: Demographics.

Here, we will share a weekly update addressing Mayor Brown’s questions, which are probably your questions, too. (And, if you’re still puzzled, be sure to comment directly on this post or ask us here. We want to be on the same page.) Answers to questions 1 & 2 regarding location can be found here.

Question 3: What demographic(s) of our community does the library uniquely serve? Are others able to serve these particular groups of people?

Library Board’s Answer: The mission of the Grand Forks Public Library (GFPL) is to connect the community, enrich the mind and inspire the imagination. To be truly successful in accomplishing this mission, all demographic categories within the city of Grand Forks must be impacted. At GFPL, we strive to provide “something for everyone.”

According to our most recent library user survey, most patrons came to the Grand Forks Public Library to (1) check out books, (2) check out DVDs and (3) use the computers. The complete breakdown of reasons people go to our library (click chart to expand):

Slightly more females (58%) than males (42%) used the GFPL. The breakdown by age is as follows:

November 2010 scientific research conducted by DMD Consulting verified that users of the Grand Forks Public Library are dispersed evenly across the community. People who live on the north side of town use the library the same amount as those living on the far south side. East and west of Washington also have very similar usage numbers.

The research results also revealed there is widespread support for building a new library. Regardless of whether or not they actually used the library, 74.2% of a random sample of Grand Forks residents was in favor of a new library. This holds true across wards as well. From the highest support (Ward 3 at 75.6%) to the lowest support (Ward 6 at 64.2%), the majority of people are in favor of a new library. The support holds true regardless of income level.

Usage of the Grand Forks Public Library continues to increase, both in checkout of materials and in usage of computers. This data is consistent with the findings of several national studies. A January 2010 Harris Interactive Poll provides compelling evidence that a decade-long trend of increasing library use is continuing – and even accelerating – during these difficult economic times. According to the study, two-thirds (65%) of Americans indicated they have used their public library in the past year. Eighty percent (80%) of those ages 18-24, 70% ages 25-34 and 73% ages 35-44 have used their library in the past year.

When asked about services used at the public library in the past year, 77% of Harris Poll respondents reported taking out books (print, e-books, or audio books), which is the number one use. Second was consulting a librarian (67%), followed by connecting to the internet (41%) and checking email (25%).

These materials, services and library events are not offered in quite the same way anywhere else in our community. The Grand Forks Public Library serves the entire population without regard to status; young and old, rich and poor, north end and south end residents – all receive unique niche services, free of charge, from the helpful and caring staff at our public library.

5 reasons why the Grand Forks Public Library won’t become obsolete in your lifetime.

#5 – Library usage increases with the addition of new formats.

Public libraries are constantly adapting to meet the needs of their users. Grand Forks Public Library is structured to provide materials in the format that is most desirable. Communication formats have changed dramatically since the current library opened its doors 40 years ago. Although hardcover books have remained constant, many formats have come and gone throughout the decades. For instance:

1960s – LP phonograph records
1970s – Cassette tapes
1980s – VHS videos
1990s – Compact discs
2000s – DVDs
2010 – eReaders

Each time a new format is introduced, patrons have responded with growing interest and expanded usage. Paperbacks became a part of the GFPL holdings in the 1970s, and their portability soon became very popular. Because a paperback’s production cost is much less than a hardcover, overall cost of acquisitions was reduced. The end result was more budget dollars to purchase additional materials (and formats) for GFPL patrons.

Ultimately, introducing paperbacks increased demand for all Grand Forks Public Library materials. The same is true of digital formats. By adding new formats and offering downloadable books, the library is attracting more users and increasing existing patrons’ usage levels.

Downloadable books represent a small percentage of the current holdings at GFPL. As usage and demand increase, portions of the collection will expand while others decrease. Necessary adjustments will be made in the storage and display of the library’s collection. Rest assured that a new library will be designed to flexibly accommodate the next popular format—whatever it may be.

#4 – Most books are not yet available in electronic format.

In 2011, a very small percentage of the total books in print are available in digital format. A vast majority are not available from downloadable sources. Because of this disparity in format availability, patron’s today are more likely to request library books in traditional format. Certainly digital availability will increase, but it’s going to take many years before books drop out of the #1 spot for preferred patron usage at GFPL.

Digital formats are currently available at the Grand Forks Public Library. As user demands change, materials will adjust accordingly—just as they have for the past 100 years.

#3 – A public library’s primary mission is to provide information.

As long as we continue to nurture a society that seeks information, the need for a public library in Grand Forks County will never diminish.

Our public library is not only a warehouse for books. It is a source for knowledge, a community gathering space and a hub for exchanging ideas. Program events at the library provide connectivity, social interaction and inspiration, as well as information—positioning the library as a center for lifelong learning.

Public libraries serve as crucial technology hubs, not merely for free internet access, but for those who need computer training and assistance. Perhaps most important of all, a public library is a testimonial to the community’s values—demonstrating our belief in universal access to literature and knowledge.

In 2010, program offerings at the GFPL expanded significantly to include children’s reading events, youth activities, computer training and adult book clubs. All programs have been very well received. Daily library visits have increased by 4 percent, from 827 in 2009 to 864 per day through February 2011.

#2 – Usage at the Grand Forks Public Library is at an all-time high.

For the past 25 years, circulation numbers have increased steadily, from 360,128 in 1980 to 789,983 in 2010. Books continue to be the most requested format, representing 56 percent of circulated materials in 2010 (up from 49 percent in 2009). The second most popular format in 2010 was DVDs/videos, representing 33 percent of circulated materials.

The number of Grand Forks Public Library users is also increasing. More than 3,600 new GFPL cards were issued in 2010, and 3,800 in 2009.

We are a community that loves our library! Unfortunately, we have “loved” the current building to death.

Five-year-old Claire uses a library book to demonstrate her recently acquired reading skills.

#1 – Six-year-olds are still learning to read… on books.

Young children today are technologically savvy. In most cases, they are computer literate before they start kindergarten, and many have access to their own personal computer. Some elementary schools now provide all textbooks in digital format. Introducing new classroom technology is ongoing, and electronic reading devices are often available at home.

But check out a first grade classroom, and you will find that six-year-olds are still learning to read the “old-fashioned” way—with books. These youngsters are developing a learning pattern that will last for a lifetime. With life expectancy in the U.S. approaching 80 years, it’s safe to say libraries will be lending books well into the future.

Our library is well-used and valued, and we have exhausted the viable options for making do with what we have. We are no longer able to provide some programs due to space issues, the physical plant services are woefully in need of upgrade and the technology capacity has been maxed out. Perhaps most horrifying, the Grand Forks Public Library is out of compliance with nearly all ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, as mandated in 1990.

The proposal for a new building is long overdue. A new, updated and enlarged library will serve all current and future citizens of our region. We cannot put this off any longer.

(Note: All usage numbers for GFPL are electronically tracked and documented in the library’s circulation department.)