“Rural Libraries in Reno” Nevada Library Association Bernard Vavrek, Professor and Chair, Department of Library Science, Clarion University October 22, 2005

Where in the world is Clarion, PA?  85 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.  Exit 62, Interstate 80.  Near Cook Forest State Park.  Community of 6,000.

Clarion University began in 1867  Approximately 6,000 students.  80 academic programs.  Department of Library Science. started in  Accredited by ALA since 1976.

Outreach programs in the DLS  Harrisburg, PA.  Philadelphia Free Library.  Online Cohorts: Rural and Small Libraries, School Media Services, Specialized Information Centers (2007).  Clarion campus.

Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship  Started in  Educational, research, rah-rah.  Publishes “Rural Libraries” and “Bookmobiles and Outreach Services.” 

New virtual library associations supported by the CSRL  Association of Rural and Small Libraries  Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services  Please join on complimentary basis.  Otherwise, dues is $39/year for each.

Assignment is to define the current culture of rural and small libraries  “Rural” means many things.  Depending on the section of the country, rural places are disappearing as exurbanization takes place.  Rural is equated with “country.”  “Where all the women are strong, the men good-looking, and the children are above average?”

Rural places include those that are  Farming.  Industrial.  Ranch.  Resort.  Extractive.  College/university.  Seats of government.  New housing developments.

Depends who defines it  In Canada, e.g., rural consists of places of fewer than 1000 people.  In US, urban starts at 2500 folks.  Recently, in the US, “micropolitan” has been introduced to identify towns of fewer than 10,000.  Rural=nonmetroplitan.

And the numbers show  That most Americans live in urban [suburban] places.  The rural population is about 49 million.  PA has the largest rural population with about 4 million.  Largest growth is by Hispanics, 25%.

Advantages of living in rural places  Far from the madding crowd.  More room to breath.  Sense of “community.”  Where everyone knows your name.  Cost of living.  Relative safety.

Disadvantages of living in rural places  Distances between places.  Lack of services.  Less income, education, food, etc.  Problems of abuse, despair etc.  Methamphetamine labs.  As a soldier, better chance of being sent to Iraq to serve.

Challenges for declining rural areas  Believing the rural “myth.”  Providing a modern infrastructure.  Keeping young people at home.  Broadband access to the Net.  Keeping services available.  Being optimistic for the future.

Challenges for places that are developing  Not enough roads, schools, and overall infrastructure.  Conflict between the “come here’s” and locals.  Saying, no, to McDonald’s.  The aroma of fertilizer in the air during garden parties.  Believing the “rural myth.”

Public libraries serving <2,500  29% (2,666) of 9,137 total libraries.  Public Internet terminals—3.  Total operating income--$37,374.  On average, one paid FTE staff.  9% (242) have ALA/MLS librarian.  Books/serial volumes—11,414.

Public libraries serving <25,000  79% (7,185) of 9,137 total libraries.  Public Internet terminals—5.  Total operating income--$201,005.  On average, four paid FTE staff.  33% (2364)--ALA/MLS librarian.  Books/serial volumes—27,607.

Some national “library’ trends  Rural libraries are a "hot” topic.  Major players include: Western Council of State Libraries; Gates Foundation; [CA] Rural Library Initiative, ALA/OLOS, etc.  Bookmobiles are rolling along.  Opportunities for distant learning.  Technology is “wagging the dog.”

Lingering library issues  Budgetary concerns.  Insufficient number of staff.  Training and education of staff.  Identifying public’s perception.  Articulating goals/objectives.  Maintenance of technology.  Keeping “technology” in its place.

Technology: unanswered questions  Effect on key borrowers?  Are there sustainable budgets?  And the poor will inherit the tech?  Disinterest by staff?  Effect on future staffing?  Does it increase remoteness?

And the future is?  Concepts of rural and urban will continue to mix. It will not make any difference where a library is located.  The key issue will be for library and community leaders to work together to define the role of their library and insure its sustainability.

 The End.