Services Provided by Oklahoma Libraries

2. Services Provided by Oklahoma Libraries • Books, books, books • Computers/Internet access for public use • Videos, CDs, and other multimedia • Reference and research assistance • Support & resources for K-12 classroom teachers • Oklahoma Digital Prairie - Access to online magazines, journals, & newspapers

3. Services Provided by Oklahoma Libraries • Assistance to small businesses • Patent and Trademark search assistance • Access & assistance for federal and state government documents • Foreign language materials • Genealogy research assistance

4. Services Provided by Oklahoma Libraries • Homework help • Literacy programs • Interlibrary loan services when an item is not available locally • Literary & cultural programs for children, teens, and adults • Meeting space for community events

5. What Library Customers Say* Oklahomans surveyed said libraries are important to their communities because they provide • Studying or homework assistance (97%) • Literacy programs for children and adults (97%) • A place for children’s programs (97%) • Books for pleasure reading and information (96%) *survey conducted in November 2002 by the University of Oklahoma Public Opinion Learning Laboratory in cooperation with Wilson Research Strategies

6. What Library Customers Say* Oklahomans surveyed said libraries are important to their communities because they provide • Electronic reference materials such as encyclopedias and magazines (95%) • A place for teen programs (92%) • Library computers for public use (90%) • A place for adult programs (88%) *survey conducted in November 2002 by the University of Oklahoma Public Opinion Learning Laboratory in cooperation with Wilson Research Strategies

7. What Library Customers Say I grew up in a small town in the Great Depression. Nevertheless a vote was held and a three mil tax imposed to pay for the new library. Miss Sallie Stewart was hired as the first librarian. It was Miss Sallie who filled out my yellow library card in her flowing Spencerian hand, who handed me my first book, “Lad, A Dog”. And it was Miss Sallie who on that day opened the door wide to a world I had never known or even imagined. Gene Allen, OKC

8. What Library Customers Say We lived in the country. My dad worked in the oil fields and was away from home most of the time and my mother was a stay-at-home mom who didn't drive. We were poor in material things but had lots of love and encouragement to go to school and learn. When I started school my teacher was Anna Burchett. She not only taught her students how to read, she also taught us the joy and excitement of reading. I can remember the first time I saw the Ada Public Library on Rennie Street. I was in awe that I could go into that building and be transported to all those different worlds. Juanita Wilson Pratt, Ada

9. What Library Customers Say One never knows how far a librarian can influence the future. Ruth Brown was the librarian in the beautiful small city of Bartlesville. She loved her library and she loved books. A young Winston Weathers received the benefits of Ruth Brown’s interest and advice. He now has a large and admiring group of students himself. Dr. Weathers remembers the gracious way Miss Brown greeted him, asked about his day, and recommended a new book for him to read. He credits her with sending him on the path to his life’s work. At the time he was unaware that she would shine as an American who believed in the First and the Fourteenth amendments to the Constitution with all her might. And she would leave behind many like Dr. Weathers who were profoundly impressed with all she was and all she did.

10. What Library Customers Say When I was a child, growing up in a small town, the school library was my favorite place in the world. It was a setting where magic became commonplace, and fantasy became reality. The librarian, whom we knew simply as Old Man Ryan, vowed to feed us to the flame-breathing dragon in his office were we to misbehave, treating our wide-eyed innocence to a taste of the extraordinary. He truly has made a difference in our lives, and will never be forgotten. Brendan Collins, Tulsa

11. What Library Customers Say The Anadarko Community Library saved my marriage and my life. My husband wanted to move to Anadarko when we retired. I wanted to be in a larger city that would have a larger selection of activities. My first action was to go to the library. It was a wonderful place, attractive, warm, and friendly. The staff made me feel at home. The head librarian, Christina Owen, became my fairy godmother. She introduced me to other book-loving people; found a club that I enjoyed. I soon found myself involved in community affairs, on the Library Board, and happy to be living in Anadarko! THANKS BE FOR THE LIBRARY! Merilyn Goodwin, Anadarko

12. What Library Customers Say Wow! The library is a great place to go. I go to the library and I see people of all backgrounds, from young ones to those who are aging gracefully. The library's a wonderful resource and community center. I've been utilizing the library since I was a child. My childhood memory of the library is the reading contest. I remember signing up one summer and reading like 50 books for a medal. :) I've benefited from the library by having the opportunity to see well-known authors and attend free business seminars! I'm really grateful for the library. M. Logan, Tulsa

13. What Library Customers Say Before the Tulsa City-County Library System one had to travel forever to get to the old Carnegie library. That all changed with the bookmobile. I remember with pleasure our trips to the bookmobile. My mother, my little sister, and I got a stack of books each week. It was riches, to be able to read all the books I wanted to, to be able to request the books I wanted to read. Today I am a Friend, a very good friend of Libraries. I still carry home stacks of books and consider that my public library offers me incredible riches. My little sister and I read and suggest to each other. The dimension that libraries add to our lives is incalculable. To make sure that we both got all the books we could ever want, my sister became a librarian and I became a teacher. Julia Brady Ratliff, Tulsa

14. What Library Customers Say A teacher wanted “The Important Book” by Margaret Wise Brown. The librarian asked one of the fourth grade library aids to get “The Important Book” and before the librarian could finish the student said.... "Which one, everyone book in here is important!". from a Moore Elementary School

15. What Library Customers Say I go to the library because I love to read. My favorite book is The Hobbit because it's interesting. I go to the library instead of buying the books I like because it's not as expensive and I read a lot of books! All the librarians I know are very nice. They help us find books when you know what you want but can't find it. They also suggest books that I would be interested in. 2nd Grader Richmond Elementary, Stillwater

16. What the Statistics Say K-12 Libraries • The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) recommends • “In every school, a minimum of one full-time certified/licensed library media specialist (masters level) . .. . is fundamental.” • Oklahoma has • 1800 schools • 991 certified, full-time, Library Media Specialists • Oklahoma falls 45% short of the AASL recommendation **Source: Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. American Library Association. 1998 . p. 103.

17. What the Statistics SayPublic & Academic Libraries Sources: Public-ODL Libraries' Annual Report Data for Fiscal Year 2002 Academic – OCALD Library Survey 2002

18. What the Statistics Say Oklahoma Digital Prairie • Approx 1500 public, school, academic and special libraries are registered, providing access for ALL citizens of Oklahoma • Over 5 million searches in 2003 • Access to millions of full-text magazine, journal, & newspaper articles

19. What the Statistics Say Oklahoma Digital Prairie • Taxpayers save more than 90% • statewide license cost is approximately $1 million/year • if libraries licensed individually cost would be more than $12 million

20. How Oklahoma K-12 Libraries Compare to Other States **Source: “Looking for a Few Good Librarians”. School Library Journal. September 2000.

21. How Oklahoma Public Libraries Compare to Other States Sources: FY2001 NCES Federal-State Cooperative Service Public Library Survey http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003399.pdf 2Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002–2003.

22. How Oklahoma Public Libraries Compare to Other States • Hennen's American Public Library Ratings provides composite measures of public libraries in the 50 States and the District of Columbia • In 2002 Oklahoma Public Libraries ranked 28th • In 2003 Oklahoma Public Libraries ranked 36th Source: Hennen's American Public Library Ratings http://www.haplr-index.com/AverageStatewideScores.html

23. How Oklahoma Public Libraries Compare to Other States • Oklahoma Public Libraries are dropping in the rankings • Oklahoma Public Libraries are equaling or surpassing national averages for visits, circulations & references question with less funding and smaller collections Source: Hennen's American Public Library Ratings http://www.haplr-index.com/AverageStatewideScores.html

24. How Oklahoma Academic Libraries Compare to Other States Sources: Enrollment in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2000 and Financial Statistics, Fiscal Year 2000 http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2002/2002212.pdf Academic Libraries 2000 http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2004/2004317.pdf

25. How Oklahoma Academic Libraries Compare to Other States • Oklahoma Academic Libraries have 15% less to spend per Student FTE than the national average • Salaries in Oklahoma Academic Libraries are 21.5% below the national average

26. The Oklahoma Library Association’s2004 Legislative Goals • To protect the rights of Oklahoma citizens to access the information they need in all formats, print and electronic. • To preserve Oklahoma’s tradition of local library governance by citizens for public and school libraries. • To support the Oklahoma Department of Libraries’ budget priorities and essential services. • To ensure quality school library programs staffed by certified Master’s level library educators.

27. Please do your part to insure that Oklahoma’s Libraries receive their share of the State PieFor further information contact:Oklahoma Library Association405-348-0506