If you are a reader and a book lover, you probably already use the _______ Public Library, love it, and cannot imagine life without it.

Whether you have, or have not, let me tell you about the pride of __________ Public Library. address photo

________ Public Library serves a population of 0,000 in the 00 hours we are open each week. *Source: 2009 Wisconsin Public Library Service Data Public Libraries by Population (000 municipal and 0,000 additional service population)*

We have 0,000 registered borrowers.* *Source: 2009 Wisconsin Public Library Service Data Public Libraries by Population

We own over 00,000 books that are offered to our community. In addition, our borrowers used the interlibrary loan services in excess of 00,000 times in 2009 alone!* *Source: 2009 Wisconsin Public Library Service Data Public Libraries by Population

00 Adult Programs garner an attendance of 000 adults 00 Children’s Programs have an attendance of 0,000* This means _______ Public Library programs are opening the minds of 0,000 children, teens, and adults in our community! *Source: 2009 Wisconsin Public Library Service Data Public Libraries by Population

A 2005 study of the Illinois School Libraries shows that students who frequently visit well-stocked and well-staffed *Source: Illinois School Library Media Association – Powerful Libraries Make Powerful Learners ( school libraries end up with higher ACT scores and perform better on reading and writing exams.

Public libraries provide support to schools and students. *Source: Mail Tribune - Public libraries are good for the community by Margaret Jakubcin - January 23, 2007 As school budgets continue to dwindle, public libraries have increasingly stepped in to fill the gap, recognizing that today’s students are tomorrow’s workers, leaders, and decision-makers.*

A library is indicative of a healthy community. *Source: State Library of Iowa Why are libraries important? A community without a library is unattractive to businesses and individuals looking to locate to a new area.*

Libraries give people the opportunity to experience new ideas, explore great minds, and experience great art, while at the same time providing a sense of place for gathering.

This is a pivotal benefit since employers offering ‘jobs’ just isn’t enough anymore. People want quality of life. __________ Public Library reflects the diversity and character, and the needs and expectations of our community.

In turn, a recent Wisconsin study shown that public libraries have an economic impact that greatly *Source: exceeds their cost, returning $4.06 to the local economy for every $1 invested.*

__________’s community economy benefits when business people use library resources to make wise business decisions, employees use it to improve job skills, or the disadvantaged use it to help break the cycle of poverty.

Yet we struggle to keep up with the many changes in technology, rising costs in books, and other materials, staff and budget shortages, and a growing demand from our customers for more information.

As community leaders, I ask you to please make a commitment to your library and to library service for all. The intellectual and economic health of our community depends on it.

Ralph Waldo Emerson had it right when he called the library the People's University.

Questions? name Library Director _________ Public Library address 1 address 2 City, WI Zip (715)