from the Chicago sun times
Internet demand squeezes libraries
February 23, 1998
BY BECKY BEAUPRE SUBURBAN REPORTER
Demand for the Internet is straining public library budgets in
Chicago's suburbs and across the country--in extreme cases at the
expense of new books or depleting savings.
``The public now really expects to go to the library and have the
Internet, but I don't think the public has any idea what it costs,''
said Judith Ream, special projects coordinator for the Wheeling-based
North Suburban Library System. ``I think if you talk to any of the
libraries, they would say they are struggling with this.''
Libraries across the United States were expected to show $280 million
in 1997 spending for providing Internet access alone, according to
preliminary findings in an American Library Association survey that
will be released in the next several weeks. All spending on technology
was $500 million.
That's more than $1,200 per library per month, said Aleck Johnson, a
research associate at the association's Office for Information
Technology Policy in Washington.
In Chicago's suburbs, those costs can be particularly hard to bear
because many libraries have to hold referendums to raise taxes.
``There isn't anything we can easily replace,'' said Marilyn Genther,
executive director of the Mount Prospect Public Library.
In Mount Prospect, Internet and technology costs have ripped into the
library's yearly budget. The library has cut back on ordering books
and other materials by 15 percent to 18 percent, and is still expected
to run out of money by 2000 if it doesn't significantly cut services
or persuade voters to approve a tax increase, Genther said. Since
1987, three referendum proposals for library tax hikes have failed.
``This is very, very serious for us,'' Genther said.
Internet access and the high-speed line the library uses cost a
combined $2,075 per month. Unlike home users, who typically pay about
$20 per month for Internet access through local telephone lines, the
Mount Prospect library uses an expensive high-speed connection called
a T-1 line that can also be used to access a variety of online
databases.
In addition, the library spends about $8,000 a year to replace and
maintain computers and about $80,000 a year for two full-time and one
part-time systems experts. All that is on top of the training needed
for librarians, additional staff to answer patrons' questions,
subscriptions to online reference tools, and supplies such as printer
paper and toner cartridges.
``I don't think we have a choice,'' said Tim Loga, the library's
director of computer services. ``These are mandatory offerings now.''
In 1996, fewer than 28 percent of U.S. public libraries offered
patrons access to the Internet. In 1997, that number had jumped to
more than 60 percent.
Local library administrators said the pressure to offer the Internet
is especially strong in the north and northwest suburbs.
In the west suburbs, a few libraries receive free Internet access from
local cable television providers, said Pamela Brown, information
technology services director for the Suburban Library System, which
covers the south and west suburbs.
And in the south, the demand for the Internet just isn't as high,
Brown said.
Many libraries will get some relief by this spring. Last month,
federal legislation allowing public libraries and schools to receive
discounts on Internet access went into effect. Many libraries could
begin receiving discounts by April.
But the discounts will cover only such things as Internet access,
communication lines and server hardware, and not desktop computers,
software, staffing or training, which account for the bulk of the
cost, Johnson said.
At the Grande Prairie Public Library, which serves Hazel Crest and
Country Club Hills, access is offered through phone lines at two
computers. Costs can run a couple hundred dollars a month--not
including equipment purchases or extra personnel costs.
``The biggest strain on the budget is that it requires more staff,''
administrative librarian Susan Roberts said. ``We'll start feeling
that in the budget.''
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