ABOUT THIS REPORT

The rules of engagement in economic development are agencies, corporations, nonprofits, and community changing. More and more, economic development success organizations working together to elevate levels of strategies involve people, technology, and growing an education and economic potential, making cities stronger. infrastructure for economic activity built on ideas, We deeply appreciate the public library members of our knowledge, experience, and quality of life. Urban Libraries Council who provided input for the research The Urban Libraries Council commissioned this study to look of this report. We also appreciate the insights of our at how public libraries contribute to the human dimension Advisory Committee that guided this work, the Urban of economic development. In the process, researchers also Institute for helping us to learn more about the businesses uncovered more evidence of the important contributions we are in, and the support and funding from the Bill & public libraries make to strengthening places and Melinda Gates Foundation and Geraldine R. Dodge community quality of life. Foundation.

This report indicates that public libraries today are deeply We hope you will use this information as a tool to re-frame involved with people, technology, and quality of life. Public discussions regarding the public library role in local libraries have tremendous reach geographically and economic development. Our hope is to stimulate a virtually. Within the U.S. there are over 9,000 public libraries dialogue among developers, planning professionals, elected providing services in over 16,000 branch facilities and officials, business and public library leaders to think through the Web. Nearly every one of these locally-funded differently about the value of public libraries as unique and organizations offers collections and programs that support versatile partners in these human resource and community- early literacy, workforce readiness and small businesses. As building arenas. We urge public libraries to extend and such, they are an important and dynamic part of the expand their resources and strategies that can profoundly community’s learning infrastructure which supports local impact local economic development conditions. economic development.

This study finds that the return on investment in public libraries not only benefits individuals, but also strengthens community capacity to address urgent issues related to Martín Gómez, economic development. Public libraries are increasingly President finding their “fit” in the formal and informal network of Urban Libraries Council

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Idea: The Urban Assets Strategy Group, Executive Board, and Martín Advisory Committee: Linda Darragh, Professor, University of Chicago Gómez, President, of the Urban Libraries Council, Evanston, IL School of Business; Katherine Hadley, Director, Minneapolis Public

Research and Publication Copy: Carlos A. Manjarrez, Jessica Cigna, and Library; Barbara Mistick, Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Beata Bajaj, The Urban Institute, Metropolitan Housing and Community Heywood Sanders, Professor, University of Texas-San Antonio School of Center, Washington, DC Government

Editing: Danielle Patrick Milam, Sr. VP/Program & Development, Urban Underwriting: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Geraldine Libraries Council, Evanston, IL R. Dodge Foundation Making Cities Stronger: PUBLIC LIBRARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2

CHAPTER 1 Linking to Local Economic Development ...... 4 Local economic development practice has broadened to include strategies for building human, social, institutional and physical resources. This change has created an opportunity for public libraries to identify when and where their assets contribute to building a stronger local economy.

CHAPTER 2 Improving Early Literacy and School Readiness ...... 7 Recent research in the areas of child development and economics reveals some of the long- term benefits of investments in early education. Libraries are a key community resource in this arena.

CHAPTER 3 Strategies for Building Workforce Participation ...... 13 Strategic workforce development planning and services are key components of many local economic development strategies. Libraries are uniquely positioned to build the employment information and technology skills of area residents. Copyright © January 2007 The Urban Libraries Council CHAPTER 4 All rights reserved Small Business Support Through Public Libraries ...... 17 Small businesses are strong contributors to local economies. Public libraries provide Printed in the United States of America support services and online resources necessary to succeed in an increasingly ISBN: 1-885251-35-1 competitive small business sector. CHAPTER 5 Public Libraries and the Power of Place ...... 21 The Urban Library facilities have a positive impact on downtowns, commercial areas, and Institute neighborhoods. CHAPTER 6 URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL Conclusions About Public Library Contributions ...... 24

APPENDIX ...... 27 Table of Contents Table Making Cities Stronger: EXECUTIVE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY

OCAL ECONOMIES TODAY are in rapid transition, combined with the power of new digital collections, moving from bases of manufacturing and service technology, and training, position them to help L industries to information and idea industries. communities make the transition from manufacturing and Accompanying this transformation are a number of radical service economies to high tech and information changes in preferred work skills, business and service economies. models, local-to-global networks, and definitions of what Public libraries build a community’s capacity for make places “attractive.” Given these changes, economic activity and resiliency. Many families and communities are reassessing their assets and development caregivers rely on the library to provide important pre- strategies in light of what is needed to succeed in the new school reading and learning. Many people entering the and next economies. workforce rely on libraries to get them online. Local Strategies for building a strong economic base are being businesses are increasingly tapping into the library’s realigned. Human resource strategies are coming to the online databases to keep themselves competitive and to fore, as jobs created in the new economy require highly find synergistic new business opportunities. Library educated and technologically-skilled workers. Strategies facilities often anchor downtown and commercial to keep a vibrant base of small business, traditionally a developments, and are attractive neighborhood major source of local job creation, intact and competitive amenities. in a very mobile and global entrepreneurial environment These are the essential findings uncovered by researchers are also emerging. Increasingly, physical development from the Urban Institute, as they teamed up with the strategies are moving away from enticing outside firms Urban Libraries Council, an association of large with tax abatements and other incentives, to building on metropolitan public libraries, to investigate the impact of local strengths, mixing-up residential, commercial and public libraries on local economic conditions. Making cultural activities to create vibrant, high quality-of-life cities. Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Public libraries are logical partners for local economic Economic Development adds to a growing body of development initiatives that focus on people and quality of research that notes a shift in the role of public libraries – life. Libraries are widely available, highly regarded public from passive, recreational reading and research institutions that provide a broad range of information institutions to active economic development agents. The services and support for diverse constituencies. In this era study was commissioned by the Urban Libraries Council of economic transformation, the business of public libraries (ULC) and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is being recast. Public access to digital information and and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. technology is a draw for libraries. Their open structure, Making Cities Stronger

2 This report highlights the specific ways local governments, data. Libraries are the source for new online business agencies, and libraries are working together to achieve databases that reach entrepreneurs around the clock. benefits for individuals, agencies and the community at Researchers find that when libraries work with local and large in four areas: state agencies to provide business development data, workshops and research, market entry costs to prospective Early Literacy services are contributing to long-term small businesses are reduced, existing businesses are economic success. As the strong correlation between strengthened, and new enterprises are created. Libraries investments in early literacy and long-term economic are also in the vanguard, trying new strategies. The success is documented, public libraries are expanding Columbus Public Library (OH) is working with a regional beyond their traditional story time services, engaging in agency to provide business plan development seminars. high-impact strategies with community partners. Many In Brooklyn, the library hosts a business plan competition libraries across the country are leading public awareness with a seed money prize. In Phoenix (AZ), the public library campaigns, reaching new mothers with materials and is part of a statewide network of business, economic resources that promote reading early and often. Extensive development and library professionals who are seeking to community-wide training on early literacy with home and expand and diversify the economic base by promoting professional child care givers is increasing the quality of more synergy among clusters of enterprises. Again, in this child care, and levels of school readiness and success. From arena library resources and training facilities are reducing Providence (RI) to San Luis Obispo (CA), public libraries are operations costs for other local agencies, and broadening reaching young children and families in diverse those agencies’ access to more people needing small neighborhoods. These services are the first link in a chain business assistance. Overall, the community has more of investments needed to build the educated workforce resources to support a strong small business sector. that ensures local competitiveness in the knowledge economy. Public library buildings are catalysts for physical development. Libraries are frequented local destinations. Library employment and career resources are Urban Institute researchers repeatedly found that public preparing workers with new technologies. With an libraries are highly regarded, and are seen as contributing array of public computers, Internet access, and media to stability, safety and quality of life in neighborhoods. products, public libraries are a first point of entry for many They are bolstering downtown and suburban cultural and new technology users. A 2006 survey by Hart Research commercial activity. Among private sector developers of found that 70% of people on the computers in libraries malls, commercial corridors, mixed-use developments and only have access through that source. Now that job joint-use facilities, libraries are gaining recognition for other readiness, search and application information are all online, qualities – their ability to attract tremendous foot traffic, libraries are expanding training opportunities, often in provide long-term tenancy, and complement neighboring collaboration with local workforce agencies, which focus retail and cultural destinations. Library buildings are on using and building technology skills. Ninety-two versatile. They fit in a wide mix of public and private sector percent (92%) of public libraries surveyed for this report developments. provide computer instruction on a monthly basis. Library workforce service models are also as mobile as the shifting The study provides not only a snapshot of ways public economy, as illustrated in Memphis (TN), where the libraries are successfully integrating resources and services JobLINC mobile center that started as an initiative for a with local economic development initiatives in cities coast- single high-need neighborhood has now expanded to-coast, it also provides some thought-starter ideas for services to cover the entire county, with high levels of use broadening those strategies further, urging greater not only by job-seekers but by employers as well. With an investment in data gathering, focused partnerships, and increasing number of local training partnerships, library impact measures. resources and facilities are reducing the operation costs The study concludes that public libraries are positioned to and broadening the outreach of other local workforce fuel not only new, but next economies because of their development agencies, contributing to a stronger roles in building technology skills, entrepreneurial activity, community network for job readiness and worker and vibrant, livable places. The combination of stronger “retooling.” roles in economic development strategies and their Small business resources and programs are lowering prevalence – 16,000 branches in more than 9,000 systems barriers to market entry. One of the biggest traditional – make public libraries stable and powerful tools for cities barriers to small business has been access to current and seeking to build strong and resilient economies. comprehensive business product, supplier, and financing Executive Summary

3 Linking TO LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1

PPROACHES TO LOCAL economic development wider range of community organizations to identify when have traditionally focused on tax abatements and where their assets contribute to making cities stronger A and credits, preferential financing rates, and building better local economies. This shift in strategies provision of land and, often, facilities to attract business provides an opportunity for public libraries to identify and boost employment in local markets. However, the specific ways in which library services contribute to new knowledge economy has altered the landscape for broader local economic strategies. many business decisions. Recent studies of location decisions of “high performance firms” reveal that a number of these businesses prefer to locate in areas with higher A TRUSTED PUBLIC PLACE wages, a labor force with plentiful high school graduates, responsive and efficient government, good schools, and a Few community services enjoy the type of public support decent quality of life (Doeringer, Terkla, Klock 2002). that is generally given to public libraries. In a recent national survey conducted by Public Agenda, people were Responding to these shifting factors for economic success, more likely to rate library service as excellent or good than local economic development strategies that once focused the service they receive from their local police department, narrowly on highlighting assets of a given location or public schools or their local media (PA 2006). In a national access to major transportation are giving way to strategies public opinion survey conducted for the American Library that promote quality-of-life environments and strong Association, over 90% of the total respondents said they community capacity for economic growth. Business believe libraries are places of opportunity for education, attraction strategies that once focused narrowly on landing self-help, and offer free access to all (KRS Research large “outside” firms are now identifying ways to nurture Associates 2002). local small businesses, and to build clusters of competitive industries, linked in regional networks, that create new Many demands challenge public library leaders to growth and income. Employment-centered economic continue to provide services in a manner that meets the development strategies that once focused on job creation, high expectations of the public while operating in an even if many were at minimum wage, are now focusing on environment of constrained state and local budgets. developing comprehensive skills to build workforce Despite high regard for pubic libraries as an institution, competitiveness and creating career paths to quality jobs leaders in many public library systems are facing difficult and higher wages. choices because of a decline in public funding. Additionally, rising costs of new materials, such as online As local economic development practice broadens to journals, databases, and operations has forced libraries include strategies for building human, social, institutional, nationwide to cut services, or to find more money by and physical resources for stronger, self-sustaining local dipping into budgets for books, audiovisual materials and economic systems, there is an opportunity for a much programs. Further, many library systems across the country Making Cities Stronger

4 are in desperate need of capital support to upgrade or This study seeks to follow the links between libraries and repair existing buildings or to build entirely new facilities to economic development benefits. It looks at how layers of adequately service communities where the local special program resources and activities in public libraries population has swelled. intersect with specific local economic development strategies already in motion. Return on Investment (ROI) Amidst these competing demands, library leaders across studies alone do not identify the ways in which library the country have also felt increasing pressure to justify the services are benefiting students, job seekers, employers, investment in public libraries given the growing volume of small businesses and entrepreneurs. This study takes a content on the Internet, increased computer ownership in closer look at the layers of targeted programmatic benefits, many American homes, and market competition from and investigates and articulates the ways in which public private book vendors. libraries are addressing the needs of individuals and agencies, within the context of broader formal and informal local economic development networks. MEASURING THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF PUBLIC Special programs, which have always been a part of public LIBRARIES library services, have increasingly taken on local community development challenges in the past decade. An increasing number of economic research tools are now Public libraries are now working with local schools to being used to measure the public value of libraries, create a more integrated set of services for children including the cost-benefit impacts and return on (Saunders 2001), coordinating with workforce investment that public libraries generate. These studies development agencies for job and career information consistently identify positive economic impacts made by services (Durrance 1994), and collaborating with local libraries at the national, state and local levels: chambers of commerce to improve business information services for micro and small businesses (Wilson and Train At the national level, Liu (2004) examined the causal 2002). These special program services are broadening the relationship between public libraries, literacy levels, and impact of traditional library information resources by economic productivity measured by gross domestic networking with the efforts of other groups in the product per capita using path analysis. This study found community. that public libraries contribute to long-term economic productivity primarily through literacy programs.

Recent studies at the state level have found significant MODELING PUBLIC LIBRARY economic benefits as well, including significant returns on BENEFITS public investment and generation of gross regional product (Barron, et al. 2005, McClure, et al. 2000). There Figure 1 provides a model that summarizes the multiple ways have been tremendous short-term local economic spin-off in which public library resources, programs and services benefits from construction alone, as expenditures for state impact local economic development conditions. and local library construction doubled from $948 million Traditional Service Benefits. Public libraries provide direct dollars in 2000 to just over $2 billon dollars in 2005. service benefits to individuals. These include the cost savings Positive economic impacts are also evident at the city of public access resources over market costs of goods and level. A recent study conducted by the Carnegie Mellon services, as well as the self-identified benefits of getting University's Center for Economic Development (CMU) for information or access to technology, for example. the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh found the library to be Benefits of Business Operations. Public libraries are large the most visited regional asset, attracting 500 thousand organizations, particularly in metropolitan settings, and thus, more visitors than the Carnegie Science Center and the provide significant business-related spin-off benefits to the Pittsburgh Steelers combined. CMU researchers estimate local economy that include employment and wage that the library generates a return of more than $91 million contributions, purchasing of supplies and materials, in combined economic output and sustains more than 700 contracted services, library construction and even the effect jobs. Using a different methodology, the Seattle Public on local business resulting from increased foot traffic. A recent Library found substantial economic returns to the city and study of the economic impact of South Carolina public local business immediately following the development of libraries estimated that the libraries contributed close to $126 the new downtown library. They found the net new million dollars in spending on wages, supplies, books and contribution to the local economy to be approximately related materials, construction, and other business related $16 million dollars during the first full year of operation expenditures (Barron, et al. 2005). alone (Berk & Associates 2004). Chapter 1 Chapter

5 6 Making Cities Stronger IUE1 ModelDistinguishingEconomic Derived andAdministrative Benefits from Service Library Functions FIGURE 1: Public Library Resources Information Administration Library search. provide career training, andfacilitate employment andcareer development strategies: focus isonthree program areas thatare core localeconomic the thisreport, to publichealth.In success to financialliteracy developmentmany agendas–from community school Programming ishighlylocal, inpubliclibraries andtouches on organizations. agencies, andbroaden thereach oflocalpartner local coststo complementary human capital, reduce service to localstrategies capacity contribute thatseekto strengthen resourcesrelate andprograms to program Library services. asthey significant benefits, community-level particularly Program Related Benefits. strategies that support current practice inthefieldoflocal current practice strategies thatsupport programThe casestudyresearch examinesspecificlibrary business owners.experienced resources, and trainingfor workshops bothnew and throughsector theprovision ofbusinessinformation young children for schoolandraiselevels ofeducation. small businesssupport workforce initiatives early literacy – initiatives thatpromote reading, prepare – efforts thatincrease– efforts workforce skills, – strengthening thesmall business User Library Programs Library Targeted Public contribute libraries Economic Benefits are making citiesstronger.are making ofways inwhichpubliclibraries underscore thevariety further course ofthefieldwork. These examplesare provided here to andcommercialneighborhoods centers emerged inthe existing developments, andamenitiesto downtowns, ascatalyststo redevelopment, oflibraries impact anchorsfor oncommunities, oflibraries manyimpacts examplesofthe these investigations wason program ratherthanphysical cities andsmalltowns across thecountry. While thefocus of and broaden thedefinitionof mixed-use development in asaway toconstruction create more vibrantpublic spaces placementand communities are using publiclibrary Finally, highlightsways inwhich inChapter 5thereport through locallibraries. available identifies someofthenewbusinesssupports for jobseekers. Chapter 4 services children andsupport forhuman capitalofarea residents, interventions literacy early strategiesChapters for key 2 and3examinetwo buildingthe and programs further, providing even greater impact. canstretchsuggestions aboutways publiclibraries resources measured infuture research. Finally, provides thereport orcouldbeidentifiedand identified byprogram participants economicoutcomesand long-term thatwere either highlightstherangeofshort-term economic development. It Benefits ofBusinessOperations ● ● ● ● ● Traditional Benefits Service ● ● marketcosts for comparable goodsandservices ● ● ● Program Related Benefits

Construction Purchasing andservices Employment andwagecontributions Impacts onsurrounding neighbors, businesses Impacts civicspace ofactive Impact User identified/context centered benefits Cost savings to individualsrelative to private Impacts on small business start-up andsuccess onsmallbusinessstart-up Impacts andoutreach services onotheragency Impacts onhumanresourceImpacts base Improving Early Literacy AND SCHOOL READINESS CHAPTER 2

IBRARIES HAVE LONG BEEN recognized as one of the most cost effective strategies for long-term economic the most important community institutions for development. In a recent study, researchers from the L adult and child literacy development. However, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank identify investments in new research in the area of child development is now early education as yielding a financial return that far uncovering a strong connection between early literacy exceeds the return on most state funded economic investments and the improved school outcomes of young development projects (Rolnick and Grunewald 2003). children. Researchers are showing that children who begin Further, as demonstrated in Figure 2, researchers at the kindergarten with greater literacy skills resources are more University of Chicago, identify early education investments likely to test well in reading and basic mathematics at the as more efficient public investments because their benefits end of kindergarten and the start of first grade (Denton and tend to compound, by creating a solid foundation for later West 2002). Early literacy, along with early numeracy, and human capital investments, such as education, youth building social-emotional competence, is seen by many development and job skills training (Cunha and Heckman researchers as a key strategy for developing of school 2003; Currie 2001; Karoly, et al. 1998). This work finds that readiness in very young children (Brooks-Gunn and the return on investment decreases as investments move Markman 2005; Foorman, Anthony, Seals, Parlakian 2003; from early literacy and child development, to youth Mouzaki 2002; Whitehurst and Lonigan 1998). programs, to adult education and job training programs. In the past, little importance was placed on what children “Learning and motivation are dynamic, cumulative processes; experienced in the first years of life. Reading instruction skill begets skill; learning begets learning. Early disadvantages took place primarily in elementary school. Formal lead to academic and social difficulties later. Early advantages instruction and curriculums emphasized the teaching of accumulate; just as early disadvantages do.” reading and writing to children when they reached school age and not before. However, the current research-based The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children, understanding of early language and literacy development Working Paper 51 is providing new and early pathways for helping children learn to talk, read and write. Current literacy development — Committee for Economic Development, theory emphasizes the more natural unfolding of skills October 2004 through the enjoyment of books, the importance of There is also evidence that the importance of early positive interactions between young children and adults childhood investments is beginning to take hold among who read, and the critical role of literacy-rich experiences. policy makers at the various levels of government. (Katz, On another track, researchers in the field of economics are Dylan, and de Kervor 2003). Since 2005, the National beginning to identify child development investments as League of Cities’ National Municipal Policy has had a major Chapter 2 Chapter

7 8 Making Cities Stronger IUE2 Rates ofReturnonInvestment Decrease asProgram Participant Ages Increase FIGURE 2: Argument forInvesting inYoung Children JamesandFlavioSource: Heckman, Cunha. capital in human investment to return of Rate included familyandintergenerational reading School readiness andchilddevelopment activities specificallyrelatedmaterials promotion. literacy to early with these, 92%hadenhancedtheircollections Of providing specialprogramming inthearea literacy. ofearly as 90% ofresponding identifiedtheirlibrary libraries Council members, Libraries amongUrban overconducted andtrainingfor young thesurvey children.services In communities theyare theleadagenciesfor literacy early training.investments for literacy Indeed, inearly many providers. muchdeeperresource are Libraries nowmaking for parents andchildcare services support child literacy appropriate standards, andcreating more comprehensive children’s programming literacy to meetdevelopmentally activities,retooling expanding traditionalstory-time recast to citieslarge thisend. andsmall, are In libraries Children’s are inpubliclibraries being services literacy Committee ECW-04). Childhoodand (NGA Education,Early Workforce childhooddevelopment systemsearly atthestate level grant program designed to buildmore comprehensive programming, literacy early andhasestablished asmall positionthatcallsforadopted of greater apolicy support long-term. The NationalGovernorsAssociation hasalso to buildstronger learning early localeconomiccapacity initiative andcatalyze to investments highlightpractices in 0 rsho colPost-school School Preschool . Sept22,2005,page33 The Technology ofForming andtheProductivity HumanSkills Preschool programs Age Schooling investigations into how early literacy collections and investigations collections literacy into howearly group were ofpubliclibraries identifiedfor further ontheprograms highlighted in thatsurvey,Based inpart a learning. specifically for literacy/early early indicated thattheyhaddeveloped websitessurvey responding ofthelibraries to the one-third learning. Over resources for parents andcaregivers aboutearly to learn using theirwebsites asaway information to collect However, activities. literacy doappearto be publiclibraries oftheirearly that theyusedcomputers asanintegral part Less indicated than13%ofthelibraries services. literacy appear to play amajorrole indirectprovision ofearly Atthispointcomputers donot education certificate. on theirchildren’s childhood staffashaving anearly services identifiedsomeone surveyed More thanhalfofthelibraries withappropriately trainedpersonnel. specialized services to providing ofpubliclibraries commitment onthepart staff. results highlighted astrong oflibrary Survey part has theneedfor specialized educationandtrainingonthe As children’s programming hasgrown over theyears sotoo educationteachers. andearly workers basis, andjustover 60%provided for workshops childcare ormonthly onaweekly workshops provided literacy early providing childdevelopment programming early 70% for childcare professionals.services Amongthelibraries development programs, parenting programs, andsupport Job training cost offunds Opportunity services were mobilized at the local level. Strategies change (Dungan-Seaver 1999). Public libraries have observed in the field studies range from citywide been engaged in literacy campaigns for years. However, information campaigns to the provision of tailored some public libraries are drawing on this experience to technical assistance to childcare agencies. The overall build more targeted campaigns, which focus specifically goals of these initiatives are consistent – improving child on the promotion of early literacy. These strategies social and development outcomes through literacy and broaden the early literacy message to the widest providing essential building blocks for school readiness. In possible audience. By delivering the messages in many of the communities in this study, the public library multiple languages and through a variety of media, was the only agency promoting early literacy public libraries are extending the reach of their programs programming. to community residents who may not even know where to find their closest branch library. An example of an The following descriptions of early literacy/school ambitious multi-lingual public information campaign, readiness strategies are followed by an examination of the which combines media outreach with informational impacts, and thoughts about how the public library could workshops for parents and caregivers, is Brooklyn Public stretch resources and strategic investments further. Library’s campaign, Brooklyn Reads to Babies.

Brooklyn Public Library - Brooklyn Reads to Babies PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIES FOR Campaign. BUILDING EARLY LITERACY Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL’s) citywide literacy campaign, which targets both parents and caregivers of Public education campaigns babies and toddlers, includes informational brochures Parental training workshops and materials, produced in six different languages, which Tailored technical assistance for childcare and other are distributed through the library and community children’s service agencies partners; a web resource with information about early Implement model literacy programs literacy; library programming on early literacy for children from birth to age five; and direct outreach to a Public education campaigns for early literacy. wide range of children and family service agencies Effective public education campaigns use media, throughout Brooklyn. The campaign has cast a wide net messaging, and an organized set of communication by connecting with area service providers to get the activities to shape behavior toward desirable social word out to the community. Flyers and posters are outcomes (Weiss & Tschirhart 1994). They will often available at area beauty parlors, clinics, schools, hospitals combine broadcast media campaign messaging with a and markets. BPL has also made informational brochures wide range of marketing and program strategies meant available for family court. Area health providers, such as to bolster the “marketing mix” (Balch & Sutton 1997). A Coney Island Hospital, assist by providing Brooklyn Reads common strategy for public education campaigns is to to Babies program information and library card coordinate media efforts with a diverse mix of other applications in new infant goody bags. Start up communication channels, some interpersonal and some resources for the program, which were covered by an community-based, in order to extend the reach and initial donation of $1 million dollars, included frequency of the campaign's messages and increase the development and production of marketing pieces, board probability that messages will successfully result in a Chapter 2 Chapter

9 books in the branches, child size furniture for creating especially designed for use with toddlers. There are now child-friendly areas in local branches, and purchasing over 200 LARK kits available through the library. program learning tools for area libraries. While it may be Technical Assistance/Staff Development for Child too early to measure direct impacts of the program, the Care Facilities. Sixty-percent (60%) of the libraries demand for workshops and materials speaks to the need providing early literacy programs in the ULC member for this type of children’s programming. survey identified their institutions as providers of Early Literacy Training for Parents. Libraries across technical assistance to child care agencies in their area. the country are augmenting children’s services to provide These training workshops, which are free through local intergenerational programming workshops that promote libraries, provide staff development training to agencies early literacy to parents. Workshops in some libraries are that, due to resource constraints, might not otherwise run directly by children’s service librarians or in make this type of business investment. In some partnership with local child development agencies. Most communities these trainings have been incorporated into workshops offer hands-on activities and supervised the broader network of accredited agency support and practice sessions that guide parents through a range of educational services. In these communities, participation developmentally appropriate educational activities. in library early literacy workshops provides a portion of the credits necessary for annual accreditation or The Providence Public Library – Ready to Learn Providence recertification. The Memphis Public Library has a Partnership for Parents. program that combines traditional story times with The Providence Public Library, in partnership with Ready detailed instruction to childcare staff about age to Learn Providence, provides a wide range of early appropriate literacy programming. literacy support services for young children and their parents and caregivers. The Cradle to Crayons initiative, a Memphis Public Library – Training Wheels Program. free nine-week program available at most Providence In the summer of 1999, the Memphis Public Library (MPL) Public Library branches, focuses on literacy development held a series of focus groups with day care and other of children ages 1-3. The program, which is funded by children’s service providers in the Shelby County area to Ready to Learn Providence and CVS/Pharmacy Charitable help structure a new mobile children’s service. Though Trust, is designed to introduce young families to the library staff had initially thought the focus groups would library in a comfortable setting and to develop early provide more detailed information about ways to deliver literacy skills through songs, rhymes, storytelling and play. direct services to children, the greatest need identified by Library staff members offer tips that can be used at home child care staff was for on-site, staff development to encourage an early interest in reading and learning. programming. In response to this call, MPL developed the Training Wheels program, which provides on-site, The program also invites local child service agency customized training for those who care for young children professionals to attend some sessions to share (ages 0-6). The training is designed to improve caregivers' information on child development, health and safety. skills in developmentally appropriate practice, especially Bilingual staff (English/Spanish) attend most sessions, and as it relates to early literacy. materials are available in both languages. Families also receive free books through Reading is Fundamental twice The Training Wheels bus, which is staffed by children's during the nine-week session. In addition to Cradle to librarians and early childhood specialists trained in adult Crayons, the partnership offers a three-hour program (in education, visit a site and give "annotated" demonstration both Spanish and English) to teach adults how to share story times using the site's own children. In so doing, the children’s books, rhymes and songs with infants and program operates on two levels. Children at the local toddlers. A third component of the parenting education centers receive the care and attention of a librarian program is the Learning and Reading Kits (LARK Kits). through traditional story time activity. As the library staff Created jointly by Providence Public Library and Ready to person is working with the children on one end of the bus, Learn Providence, the LARK kits contain 10 books, music, a second staff person is providing “color commentary” to visual aides such as puppets and flannel boards, and day care staff, identifying key elements of the instruction, educational games. The activity folder in each kit offers a highlighting developmentally appropriate activities. This choice of activities, helping educators to teach thematic is a particularly important staff development activity for curriculum units in a developmentally appropriate way. agencies that generally cannot afford to pay for continuing education training for their staff. After the The kits for use with preschool-age children, which can story time demonstration activity, library staff works with be checked out at branch libraries, are in English only and caregivers to identify additional learning materials and bilingual (English/Spanish) versions. There are also kits tailor staff development activities to their specific needs. Making Cities Stronger

10 Materials used in the story time demonstration are First 5 of San Luis Obispo indicate that the program is available for fully-automated checkout from the vehicle. having a significant impact on the way parents approach The free Training Wheels workshops, which are certified learning in the household. Parents surveyed after three by Department of Human Services of the State of months of program participation reported statistically Tennessee and provide child care workers with significant changes in the amount they read to their accreditation credits needed for annual recertification, are children (from 59% at baseline to 85%), their perceived delivered to over 200 day care centers a year across the importance of such reading (from 8.9% at baseline to Memphis/Shelby County area on a rolling basis at visits 9.8%), and their increased use of the library system (from scheduled during the regular business hours of the day 38% at baseline to 69%) (First 5 SLO 2005). care center.

Implementing Model Literacy Programs Locally. OUTCOMES: WHY Public libraries provide a ready network for disseminating INVESTMENTS IN EARLY innovative program services. The adoption of early literacy services models such as Raising a Reader and LITERACY PROGRAMMING Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library provide MAKE SENSE excellent examples of the ways in which best practice Early literacy programming in public libraries contributes models can spread in public libraries. The Raising a to elevating young children’s levels of literacy and Reader program, which features bags filled with four engagement in learning, thereby contributing to school multilingual and multicultural children's books, a literacy readiness and school success. instructional video for parents, and a teacher training curriculum, started in 1999. Since that time the program Public library literacy programs reduce the cost of doing has grown to over 118 affiliates that have implemented business for area agencies by providing free staff the program in 32 states. The Every Child Ready to Read @ development opportunities and in some places, Your Library, an early literacy curriculum developed by certification credits. the Public Library Association and the Association for Public libraries are strengthening the community child care Library Service to Children, is another early literacy support network by expanding learning resources and program that has spread rapidly. The program, which was improving the quality of child care through literacy designed as a trainer program, provides the basic training. curriculum, training and evaluation tools necessary for children’s service librarians to incorporate early literacy training into their local regimen of children’s services. STRATEGIES FOR Over the past two years, the Every Child Ready to Read program has provided 82 trainings for librarians at public BROADENING THE IMPACT libraries across the country. OF EARLY LITERACY INITIATIVES San Luis Obispo Public Library – Raising a Reader Program, Oceano Branch Library. Discussions with library staff, community partners and local development professionals revealed a set of strategies that The Oceano Branch of the San Luis Obispo (SLO) City- could expand the capacity of programs to even broader County Public Library system is the first (SLO) branch participation by parents or area caregivers, bolster existing library to implement the Raising a Reader Program. The literacy partnerships, and strengthen community resources newly opened branch, which is situated on a site next to for child development. the Oceano Elementary School and an adult learning center, is well positioned to provide services to both Broaden support for outreach. Though a wide range of parents and their children. The program, which is partially early literacy program models are now available, children’s supported by First 5 of San Luis Obispo and the San Luis services divisions will require significantly more financial Obispo County Office of Education, targets children and support to expand outreach services to parents and area their families living in the predominantly Hispanic caregivers. Whether providing services via a library book community surrounding Oceano Elementary School. The mobile or at the branch level, community outreach project is part of a broad initiative to provide educational requires significant staff investments. support to parents, provide preschool and childcare, operate kindergarten transition programs, coordinate Establish strong partnerships with area child service existing health and social services, and encourage providers. Library staff should identify ways to connect schools to be ready for children, and vice versa. A early literacy activities to other education services in the preliminary review of the program results conducted by area to broaden the impact of literacy programming. While Chapter 2 Chapter

11 many libraries provide literacy programming through open CONCLUSION workshops within the library, fewer libraries take the additional step of establishing formal partnerships with Public libraries across the country are responding as the child care centers and Early Head Start programs to provide evidence linking early literacy to long-term education and these services directly to caregivers on site. These formal economic success continues to mount. Through public partnerships represent a stronger commitment by both awareness campaigns, more targeted program services, parties to program services, and provide library staff with and collaborative training with other child care providers, a more detailed understanding of the needs of area public libraries are introducing many more children to service providers. Library staff also talked about the books and reading before they enter school, greatly importance of making stronger connections between improving their chances of academic success. Library early early literacy education staff and teachers at area schools. literacy resources and programs are benefiting individuals These connections provide area teachers with a better and the community-at-large. sense of the range of community educational services and Investments in these areas are not without challenges, can help librarians articulate programming to better however. Sustained investments are necessary to build prepare students for the reading strategies that are taught comprehensive, consistent pre-school literacy experiences in area schools. and services both in and outside the library. Despite the Continually evaluate early literacy programming challenges, public libraries across the country are retraining and collect information over time. Relatively few staff and retooling services to be in line with effective libraries were found to be tracking individual literacy practices being defined in the new research, and are program participants to determine the impact of their working with broad and diverse kinds of child care services over time. However, demonstrating the value of providers. these programs requires this type of detailed information As libraries make deeper investments in the area of early about participants (young and old) over time. There are literacy and school readiness support, the one area that will many tools librarians can use to determine whether or not need greater attention is measuring impacts. the services they provide have a lasting effect. Most Demonstrating the impacts of public library programs is require the systematic collection of information about not without difficulties. Voluntary drop-in visits do not lend individual program participants. This type of information themselves to traditional evaluation methodologies. is especially important when libraries are incorporating a Library efforts are impacted by other context factors, such standardized service model in a new setting. Because as family, economic, race, school and other social aspects. model programs are developed in other communities, Nonetheless, demonstrating the comparatively small but sometimes with very different service populations, there effective return on early literacy investments has the may be conditions in the new “host” community that potential to yield even greater investments and payback. could affect the outcome of the program. Furthermore, local assessments could reveal important changes that are needed to better target services and improve participation. Making Cities Stronger

12 Strategies FOR Building WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION CHAPTER 3

EVELOPMENT STRATEGIES have changed For many communities, the federal Workforce Investment Act dramatically with changes in the workplace over of 1998 (WIA) is providing the organizing framework for Dthe past ten years. The transition from consolidating development programs and integrating manufacturing and service industry jobs to technology- services locally and statewide (NCEE 1997). A cornerstone of based information industry jobs has been rapid. Employers WIA is the provision of services through comprehensive One- in the growing high-skill sectors report continuing difficulty Stop centers that offer a range of resources pertaining to in finding and keeping a workforce. employment training and education for workers, and recruitment and training assistance for employers. Eight New economy jobs call for higher-level skills and a years after the enactment of WIA, it appears that more willingness to pursue continuing training to stay competitive. decisions are being made at the state and local levels, local Rapid shifts in the workplace mean that people must workforce development agencies have established more anticipate frequent career moves and take responsibility for formalized partnership arrangements, and there are more their own career progression (Porter 2000). Higher wages are collaborative workforce development arrangements with strongly linked to some form of post-secondary education private sector partners (Barnow and King 2005). There is and training. Economic self-sufficiency – the ability to great variety and flexibility in current local workforce support a family – requires education beyond high school. development programs (Eberts and Erickcek 2002). If local communities are to succeed, they will need more In this context, public libraries have a host of new workers with skill levels far beyond those seen in the average opportunities to become more actively engaged in local worker of the past. As new models of business, products and workforce development initiatives and networks. Indeed job services continue to emerge, the worker today must information resources and specialized workforce programs in continuously “retool” and adjust. local libraries have the potential to reach a much wider group New strategies and networks for building sustained of job seekers than One-Stop centers because of their workforce participation are burgeoning, and workforce reputation as trusted, quality community information development agencies are collecting data to better sources, their high volume of use, and their geographic understand the demand for these changing skill sets. They distribution of facilities across the community. Public are experimenting with career information centers and libraries cover a much broader area than WIA One- Stop sequenced services for job-seekers. They are finding new centers could ever hope to service. As an example, in the six local partners, such as community colleges and local states with the highest seasonally adjusted unemployment employers, for training and education efforts. They are rate in the country in July 2006, there are an average of 83 looking at ways to make local resources and programs more One-Stop comprehensive centers and affiliates per state apparent, coordinated, and oriented toward long-term, compared to an average of 301 library outlets in the same continuous workforce transitions. group of states. Chapter 3 Chapter

13 Public libraries across the country are answering the call to Fresno County Public Library – Career Center. provide greater workforce support with enhanced job The Career Center at the Fresno Public Library provides an information resources, workplace literacy programs, excellent example of this type of consolidation effort. In improved technology access, and staff dedicated to 2003 the library established its Career Center in the Central employment services. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of ULC Library. The new Center provides a wide range of job and member libraries responding to the survey identified their career resources in a county that has long been plagued by libraries as having enhanced collections in the area of some of the highest rates of unemployment in the state of workforce development. Forty-three percent (43%) of the California. The new Career Center provides dedicated libraries were investing in digital resources specifically computing services, a jobs board, enhanced print and digital geared toward workforce support, and 31% of the libraries collections, and a dedicated career specialist/jobs librarian were creating web resources specifically designed for job who provides monthly workshops covering online job seekers. search basics, building an effective résumé and job interview A significant amount of workforce development activity in preparation. In addition to servicing the main library the local libraries centers on job search skills, basic computer new career services librarian provides career workshops at instruction and workplace literacy. Ninety-two percent area branches and coordinates acquisition and purchasing (92%) of the libraries answering the survey provide basic of career resources for the entire system. computer instruction on a regular basis (at least monthly); Expanding Access to Technology and Tech Training. 50% of the libraries provide workplace literacy instruction; Despite the rapid proliferation of home computers, public and 42% provide workplace literacy instruction specifically computers in libraries are still in high demand, serving as an to English language learners. Most of these literacy training important entry point for new technology users. A recent and other specialized workshops are provided in library survey found that 70% of people using computers in facilities, though often conducted in partnership with local libraries reported the library was their only way to get on a agencies. The section below explores some of the ways computer (Hart Research 2006). Another study reports that libraries are adapting to meet the needs of people 95% of all public libraries provide some sort of public access navigating today’s labor market. to the Internet (Bertot and McClure 2002).

While there is increasing awareness and use of these PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIES resources in public libraries, there has been little attention FOR WORKFORCE given to how these resources are providing structural, often DEVELOPMENT community-wide, workforce development training and support. Public libraries are providing individual users with Creating Job Information Centers access to technology and information resources, as well as Expanding Access to Technology and Tech Training structured technology training. From mobile labs to Providing Targeted Employment Outreach instructional training facilities, public libraries are providing Adult Literacy Training and Community Support Centers targeted technology training, most often starting with computer basics. Job Information Centers. Many public libraries across the country are consolidating career resource materials from the Increasingly, public libraries are working with local workforce shelves and online databases into user-friendly career development partners, providing local residents with information centers. These job centers offer resources for multiple access points for computer training. Libraries that job searches, provide training and certification materials, and lack staff resources to support formal trainers are entering serve as information clearinghouses for job listings. Many of into agreements with local workforce development these centers have special staff available to provide one-on- agencies to provide instructors and curricula for training one assistance and career development workshops. facilities located at the public library. Libraries with dedicated job resource staff often provide Newark Public Library - Victoria Technology Center. assistance in crafting cover letters, résumés, and college and The Victoria Technology Center, a representative example of scholarship applications, as well as assessment of skills and library training centers, opened in 1999 as part of the interests for clients with little educational experience or for community NEON (NEwark Online) initiative, and features those holding advanced degrees. In some libraries the job eighteen computers for training and Internet access. When information service makes referrals, suggests job listing sites, classes are not provided, the stations are open to library and works with counselors, community-based customers. Free computer classes, which are offered in both organizations, state employment agencies, the Department English and Spanish, provide detailed training that ranges of Labor, and the Human Resources Administration to help from computer basics to more advanced word processing clients realize their educational and professional goals. and spreadsheet software training. Making Cities Stronger

14 Targeted Employment Outreach. Libraries with sufficient Hartford (CT) Public Library - The American Place. resources for outreach are providing services in areas of high The American Place is an adult literacy and development unemployment and need, working with local employment project serving Hartford’s diverse immigrant communities. service agencies that lack resources to provide a full range of The American Place program has become an important employment resource materials and workplace training. community service for immigrants in Hartford, a city where over one hundred ethnic cultures are represented and 32 Memphis Public Library – JobLINC. languages are spoken in the public schools. The program The JobLINC bus is a mobile jobs and career readiness provides staff and resources to help people achieve their center that helps job seekers locate employment goals for secure immigration, citizenship and literacy. The opportunities by providing listings of available jobs and program focuses on citizenship preparation, classes for one-on-one assistance in conducting job searches and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and life-skills preparing for interviews. JobLINC provides local job listings workshops. The program, which started as a basic and an employment hotline, on-site résumé preparation computer-training course, expanded rapidly when staff services, daily JOBFILE listings from the Tennessee realized that clients needed English language training in Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The addition to basics computer skills. Programs are provided initiative began as a targeted outreach to a single free of charge and include practical advice for living in the neighborhood in Memphis and, due to demand, has U.S.; classes for learning English; information on becoming a expanded to cover the entire county. The JobLINC bus, a 35 U.S. citizen; and instruction on how to use the library to find foot bus with computers, internet access via satellite hook- information on jobs, health, housing, education and other up, and job reference material, stops at shopping centers, topics of interest. social service agencies, and branch libraries throughout Memphis. The service has been so successful at connecting with residents that employers have even ridden the bus to OUTCOMES: WHY LIBRARY conduct on-the-spot interviews to hire prospective WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT workers. PROGRAMS MAKE SENSE Adult Literacy Training and Community Support Expanded individual, and hence, community workforce Centers for New Americans. Public libraries are an technology skills and competencies via access to important entry point to community services for new technology and free computer instruction available in public Americans. Programs provided through public libraries can libraries. These technology skills are essential to job seekers serve as a portal to a wide range of community resources of all ages. that are vital to a family’s economic self-sufficiency. Services to new Americans often involve English language classes; Reduced barriers to employment with one-on-one intergenerational literacy, foreign language GED instruction, services, helping job seekers research career options, identify and other basic skills training. Public libraries often serve as employment opportunities, develop résumés and apply informal referral centers as well, directing immigrants to area directly for jobs using new technologies. support services. Chapter 3 Chapter

15 Reduced costs to local workforce development agencies sectors globally? Nationally? In the region? What is on the by providing a wide range of employment information decline? Are there seasonal employment trends? If so, in resources, access to online employment and career what markets? Understanding these trends, as well as the certification tests, and training spaces complete with broader informal and formal network of workforce support computers and other technology. providers, helps provide information on how to make the library a more prominent partner, and will help shape Reduced recruitment costs to employers via contributions services and refine the public library’s role in building local to technology and literacy training, and facilitating workforce strength. connections between potential workers and employers.

CONCLUSION STRATEGIES FOR BROADENING THE IMPACT OF With rapid changes in employment markets and skills, LIBRARY WORKFORCE communities are scrambling to build workforce capacity. DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES Public libraries are contributing many resources to workforce development strategies, in concert with other community Establish strong connections with area workforce agencies, education institutions, and private sector development agencies. While public libraries are often employers. The combination of public access technology, aware of other workforce development agencies operating enhanced workforce collections and training, and outreach in their service area, workforce development agencies are partnerships gives public libraries a unique position as often not aware of the range of programs and information resource to community-wide workforce development resources available at the local library. Failure to establish efforts. connections between area workforce support services effectively limits the range of services available and could Libraries are important access points for building lead to costly and unnecessary duplication of resources. technology skills and competencies in communities today. Establishing stronger partnerships with other training Public access technology, new online resources, and entities, referral sources, schools, employer associations, and targeted training on computers, job searches, and career the local One-Stop Career Centers will help people move development are benefiting both individuals and other more quickly from information gathering to action. Stronger workforce development providers. institutional connections will raise awareness about the Libraries are strengthening links between education and wide range of resources available at the local public library. employment, as well as building workforce skills and Build better employer connections. Creation of participation. They are contributing training facilities and comprehensive employment support initiatives in public tailored instruction to a broad base of local residents. There libraries requires relationships with area employers as well. is great variety in the ways public libraries have developed While the public library will not likely serve as an partnerships and programs that connect job-seekers with employment intermediary, program and collections employment training and opportunities. Targeted library planning will benefit from increased focus on employer services such as English language instruction, workplace needs and standards, as well as a better understanding of literacy, and computer instruction are now routine. the regional labor market. Local communities are assessing their human resource base Know your customers. To better understand how and and looking for ways to continuously update workforce skills why people use library career and employment resources, and assist career transitions. In this context, the attributes of libraries should collect demographic and use information public libraries are not going unnoticed. Public libraries, from customers. Data gathered from customer surveys on which enjoy high use rates nationwide, and are broadly the needs and behaviors of people being trained or guided distributed across metropolitan areas, are becoming to information resources can then feed into decisions about increasingly engaged in local workforce support service program design, collection development, strategic networks. By consolidating resources in job information planning, and partnerships with local agencies and centers, broadening literacy training, expanding access to employers. technology, and conducting targeted outreach to immigrant populations and technology “have nots,” public Know the broader workforce outlook. Keep abreast of libraries are providing valuable support to building local broader workforce trends. What are the hot employment workforce strength and resilience. Making Cities Stronger

16 Small Business Support THROUGH PUBLIC LIBRARIES CHAPTER 4

ORE THAN THREE-FOURTHS of new jobs are information. However, few small or new enterprises are in a created in the small business sector. Small position to meet all their information needs. They often lack Mbusiness support strategies are key the financial resources, skills, and the time needed to components for local economic development strategies obtain, sift and analyze information about business that seek to stimulate new job creation and diversify the planning, marketing, financing, human resources, taxes, etc. local economic base. Over the past ten years, small Starting and sustaining a small business enterprise is a business net job creation ranged between 60 and 80 knowledge-intensive endeavor. The problem of access to percent. In the most recent year with national level data information in recent years has been exacerbated as the (2003), employer firms with fewer than 500 employees federally-supported Business Information Centers (BICs), created 1,990,326 net new jobs, whereas large firms with through the Small Business Administration have been 500 or more employees shed 994,667 net jobs.* phased out, and as more information is available digitally, albeit for a significant cost (licensing fee). The impact of small business on employment in cities is even more dramatic. Between 1998 and 2003, the number Business information services have been a part of public of small businesses in the nation’s top 100 metro areas grew library services for more than a century, but it is the advent by 18.6%, in areas as diverse as the booming suburbs of of new online databases that is bringing library resources Atlanta and Las Vegas, to the shrinking cities of directly onto the desktops of small business establishments, Youngstown, Kansas City and St. Louis. A 2005 report for chambers of commerce, and economic development the Small Business Administration found that small departments across the country. Sixty-eight percent (68%) businesses are the greatest net source of new employment of the ULC surveyed libraries have enhanced existing in inner cities (ICIC 2005). Small businesses comprise more collections with small business resource materials and than 99 percent of inner city business establishments and many of these same libraries were investing heavily in generate 80 percent of the total employment in those digital resources as well. Over fifty percent (50%) of the areas. In all, America’s inner city small businesses employ responding libraries identified their library as having digital about 9 million people, or 8 percent of the U.S. private collections, databases, and web content specifically workforce. designed for small businesses.

A good “climate” for small business involves a wide range of Public awareness efforts and instructional training for small resources, but as the economy becomes more mobile and business owners is a rapidly growing area of library global, one of the key supports for small business is programming. A wide range of instruction is provided

* Data based on authors’ analysis of Small Business Administration Table: Private Firms, Establishments, Employment, Annual Payroll and Receipts by Firm Size, 1988- 2003. http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/us_tot.pdf Chapter 4 Chapter

17 regularly through public libraries. Fifty-three percent (53%) resources are the most frequently accessed online of libraries answering the survey provide small business databases (CMU 2006). In a recent survey of library users in planning and development workshops on at least a the South Carolina, one-third of the business users said quarterly basis; thirty-eight percent (38%) of the libraries that the loss of business information sources would have a provide workshops on business management and major negative impact on their business (Barron et al. business finance; and close to two-thirds of the libraries 2005). Electronic business information resources make it (62%) provide training in the use of online business much easier for public libraries to provide community- resources. wide, up-to-the-minute business information to area residents. This next section highlights some of the innovative ways libraries are reaching the small business sector with current District of Columbia Pubic Library – Enhanced Business and comprehensive business information and services that Information Center (e-BIC). simplify entry into the market, and support long-term The District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) has entered business viability. into a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration to open the Enhanced Business Information Center (e-BIC) . The e-BIC, which is located at PUBLIC LIBRARY the main branch of the DCPL system, provides business STRATEGIES FOR SMALL planning tools, free on-site resources, staff, training courses BUSINESS SUPPORT and workshops to help entrepreneurs start, grow and expand their business. It features a state-of-the-art video On-Demand Business Information Through Online conferencing room, computer terminals, a business Business Resources information resource library and reading room. The e-BIC, Integrating Business Support Services staffed by a full time librarian, is open during the scheduled Business Basics Workshops hours of the library. Program Partnerships with Local Business Support Agencies Integrating Local Business Support Services. Many public libraries are establishing direct relationships with Building On-Demand Business Resource local business organizations, either by joining associations Information. Public libraries offer small business owners or meeting with business people to detail library and entrepreneurs a wealth of information resources resources. Based on the ULC survey, more than sixty including industry data, statistics and trends, legal indices, percent (60%) of libraries providing business services have local and state regulations and reports, government established relationships with local Chambers of documents, industry-specific newspapers and journals, Commerce and Small Business Development Centers. company reports, and company data. Historically, these Stronger connections with business and economic materials have often been housed in central or special development professionals are spreading the use of locations, since the cost and shear volume of the powerful online small business resources to new information made it difficult to provide a wide range of constituents and agency partners. resources at the branch level. Pima Public Library: Local Arizona Economic Development However, new technologies and continued investments in Center. a wide range of online business information resources The Business Info Center at the Pima Public library in make it possible now to share resources at places of Tucson (AZ) is teamed up with twenty-seven (27) other business or homes 24/7. Across the country public libraries public and community college libraries across the state to are subscribing to online business databases that provide establish a network called the Arizona Economic library card holders with a wealth of business information, Development Centers (EDIC). The network is working to including company profiles, company brand information, build partnerships among libraries, businesses, and rankings, investment reports, company histories, business economic development professionals. The library’s leads and marketing data. With the rapid increase in objective is to expand access to current small business business-related information, librarians are adopting new information resources, especially in smaller communities roles as intermediaries between the business information throughout Arizona, thereby expanding the role and consumer and an expanding myriad of information and visibility of libraries as part of the "support system" for local data sources. economic development. EDIC was initiated by the Easy access and up-to-date depth of the resources are Economic Development Library Committee, which attracting new business customers. A recent report by the includes members from the business and economic Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh found that business development communities as well as information Making Cities Stronger

18 specialists from libraries throughout the state. It is a joint Program Partnerships with Local Business Support effort between the Arizona State Library, Archives and Agencies. Partnering locally to provide small business Public Records (ASLAPR) and the Arizona Strategic workshops in the library is a common strategy identified by Planning for Economic Development (ASPED), a coalition public libraries seeking to broaden use of their small formed to create quality jobs by attracting, retaining, and business services. Partnerships provide the library with nourishing value-added clusters of enterprises. Business greater expertise in business development instruction. support networking takes place at both state and local Partnering agencies enjoy a broader audience of levels. Locally, the business librarian is active on local prospective entrepreneurs and training space. economic development boards. The library has also Columbus Metropolitan Library: Base of a Successful teamed up with the Small Business Development Center at Enterprise (B.A.S.E). the Pima County Community College to host meetings and info-sessions on business research at the local library. While the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) is involved Local for-profit business centers now see the library as a in a number of small and large initiatives, the partnership partner, and regularly invite business librarians to speak between the Science, Business and News Division and give instruction on the use of business information (Business Division) at the Main Branch of the CML and the sources and services at their workshops and meetings. Central Ohio Small Business Development Center (CO- SBDC) is generating some of the most important and Direct Support for Business Planning/Start-up. largest library commitments. In 2002, the library and CO- Libraries with staff capacity and facilities are now providing SBDC developed a small business development workshop small business support workshops. These workshops draw called Base of A Successful Enterprise (B.A.S.E.). The Center heavily on library information resources, help people build takes the lead in managing and staffing the workshop, business plans, identify suppliers and competitors, track while library staff provides detailed overviews of library consumer demographics, find and use public records, and resources available to workshop participants. The monthly spot industry trends. One program, highlighted below, workshop is offered free of charge and is open to anyone helps people create competetive business plans and, with a pre-venture, start-up or existing business. For the through a partnership with the community economic state agency, the B.A.S.E. workshop provides a first point of development fund of Citigroup, provides seed money for contact for services. After the workshop, clients interested individuals who produce the strongest plans. in getting more intensive business support services can go Brooklyn Public Library: Business Library Power-Up directly to the CO-SBDC for further technical assistance. Business Plan Competition. Entrepreneurs benefit from the B.A.S.E. program in the library because they get free and key information in Brooklyn Public Library’s Business Library is one of the largest particular, current online business, finance and product public business libraries and operates in one of the most databases, which are at the heart of researching, starting dynamic small business markets in the country. As of 2000, up, and sustaining a successful small business. 91% of the approximately 38,704 establishments in Brooklyn had fewer than 20 employees. Over 100,000 individuals there file Schedule C tax returns, indicating that they are the sole OUTCOMES: WHY LIBRARY proprietors of their businesses (BEDC SBS Commercial SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT Revitalization Project Application). Though the Business Library provides a wide range of business information STRATEGIES MAKE SENSE services, its Power Up competition, sponsored by Citigroup Reduced market entry barriers and costs for prospective Financial Services, also provides access to start-up capital. entrepreneurs through the provision of business planning The competition is open to entrepreneurs and new Brooklyn- workshops and access to current online, print, and media based businesses. Competitors receive instruction on writing resources a business plan, financing, marketing and building a business. Reduced costs and improved business performance of The program targets Brooklyn residents, 18 years and older, existing entrepreneurs, via free access to a wide range of who are either U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents. At current business resources the end of the competition, a panel of judges reviews the business plans and chooses a set of finalists. Each finalist is Reduced operation costs and more effective outreach for required to make a presentation of his or her business plan. small business development agencies via access to library The first place winner of the Business Library competition facilities, business information resources, and a larger pool receives $15,000 with two runners-up each receiving $5,000. of local potential and existing entrepreneurs In addition, winners receive business assistance services valued at $5,000. In 2005, winners of the competition were able to leverage the prize money to secure a larger loan to open their Brooklyn-based bistro. Chapter 4 Chapter

19 STRATEGIES FOR thorough understanding of small business finance BROADENING THE IMPACT resources can help librarians guide entrepreneurs to capital OF SMALL BUSINESS sources that can be used to translate business ideas into INITIATIVES products and services, and to purchase fixed assets, such as buildings and equipment. Librarians specializing in Invest in targeted staff development and training. business services should be familiar with the range of Ensure that staff is familiar with and trained on the key financial programs that support small business online business resources most commonly sought by local development, and that help make small businesses more entrepreneurs. attractive to private investors and lenders.

Explore ways to build community-wide access to Provide tailored support for micro-enterprises. With business information resources. As partnerships with access to public computers, public libraries already provide local businesses and agencies develop, investigate ways to support to many home-based micro-enterprises. The get wide distribution and use of business online databases, importance of this informal enterprise sector of some of the most expensive subscription services employment is just beginning to be recognized, purchased by public libraries. Business centers in public particularly in terms of the support they provide for low- libraries could also explore ways to share costs of income families. Successful micro-enterprises often lead to subscription services with area small business support or the establishment of sound smaller businesses. Public area economic development agencies. libraries should identify and support the specific business information needs of area micro-enterprises, as well as Aggressively market business resources. Many developing partnerships with local technical assistance business people do not think of the public library as a providers. source of business assistance. Interviews revealed a lack public awareness about business resources available at the library and online. Business service librarians should CONCLUSION investigate why certain businesses use public libraries while others do not, and collect more market information The availability of vast new online business information on the preferences and behaviors of business information resources through public libraries is a vital resource for new consumers, using that data to further refine marketing entrepreneurs. Whether providing information on efforts that promote local collections and support services. regulations associated with incorporating a new business, assisting with business plan development and registration, Understand and support small business clusters. or helping small businesses access critical information on Economic development professionals are increasingly finance and product databases, local libraries are now noticing that networks and clusters of businesses act as providing more business resource information than ever catalysts for innovation, strengthening and diversifying the before. local business base. These can be clusters of “secondary” suppliers to local large businesses, or networks of small In larger communities, with multiple small business businesses that share connections because of products, support agencies, public libraries are identifying and filling services, transportation, and communications. Industry or gaps in the formal and informal support networks and are business clustering is proving particularly useful in offering specialized services to specific populations or negotiating today's increasingly competitive and global sectors. In smaller communities, libraries are a principal market place. Networks and clusters are helping individual source of information to area micro-, small, and mid-sized enterprises overcome scale and capability limits. They are businesses. While major corporations will frequently have facilitating the generation of new ideas, jobs, and ready access to information from online sources, small commercial opportunities. Identifying local synergistic business operators are learning to turn to the library. business operations and sharing information contributes to the growth of business clusters. Supporting cluster The potential for public libraries to strengthen economic strategies means gathering and sharing data on local growth and resilience in the micro- and small business conditions, and building local product, customer, and sectors is significant. Just as new research shows that supplier networks. Business services staff in libraries should students who do not have access to online research be aware of the existing and potential local landscape of cannot compete with students who do, small businesses business clusters. that do not have the ability to adapt and reposition their businesses with current and detailed online information Understand small business financing. Capital is are at a serious disadvantage in the competitive, global another critical resource needed at every stage of business new economy. development - start-up, stabilization, and expansion. A Making Cities Stronger

20 Public Libraries AND THE POWER OF PLACE CHAPTER 5

CONOMIC AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT often go Libraries as players in mixed-use developments hand in hand. A variety of place-based strategies Creating library hybrids Ehave long been at the core of public-private economic development endeavors. Some strategies Central libraries as downtown attractions. Center city attempt to create destinations with constant activity by library developments have received a tremendous amount combining office complexes, restaurants, retail spaces, and of attention in recent years. Designed by some of the leading housing. Other strategies feature cultural districts, which architects around the world, these multi-million dollar include performance venues, arts organizations, individual facilities have contributed considerable visual appeal to artists and arts-based businesses within a larger business or downtown business districts. These dramatic new buildings residential district. Still others focus less on buildings and have added another, less talked about feature as well. They more on integrating services and amenities, such as public have created vibrant public spaces that attract a steady markets and squares. Many strategies have used public stream of visitors to areas that often lie dormant after facility investments to catalyze new development and business hours and during weekends. In city after city, new stabilize existing residential neighborhoods and downtowns, downtown libraries are followed by an immediate and increasing property values and commercial tax revenues. sustained boost in circulation and library use. The Denver Public Library, which finished the expansion of its downtown While the case study research for this report was focused library in 1995, saw the number of daily visits double from primarily on library contributions to human resource 1,500 to 3,000. The Seattle Public Library, which opened in development strategies, many examples of how of public 2004 draws 8,000 visitors a day, twice the circulation of the library facilities act as catalysts for place-based economic old central library facility. Although the Des Moines Public development surfaced, and will be highlighted in this Library just opened the doors of its new Central Library in chapter. While library facilities are widely recognized as April 2006, increased demand is already apparent, and they adding safety or amenity value to neighborhoods, public have increased the hours of operation to provide greater libraries are playing a role in a wide variety of commercial and accessibility for downtown library customers. While the mixed-use developments as well. specific economic impact of the new downtown libraries will certainly vary from city to city, one point is certainly clear: new central city libraries are now attracting visitors to PUBLIC LIBRARIES downtown areas in a manner reminiscent of the heyday of CONTRIBUTE TO PHYSICAL the downtown department store. DEVELOPMENT Integrating branch libraries into commercial areas. Central libraries as downtown attractions Whether located in malls or inserted into corner shopping Integrating branch libraries into commercial areas strips, public libraries are finding a complementary niche by Building more economically vibrant urban spaces providing a public service in commercial areas. Mall libraries, which in some locations may be open up to 80 hours per Chapter 2 Chapter

21 week, make books, computers, and other resources about the library partnership because the library functions accessible to those who may not consider going to a as an anchor tenant by bringing a considerable amount of traditional library. For some library systems the mall foot traffic to the area, without directly competing for locations do not function as full service branches but rather commercial sales. as portals into the library system, offering a fraction of the Another example of public libraries being integrated into services and amenities that would be available at a branch mixed residential and commercial developments, at a library. However, some systems are inserting full service slightly larger scale, can be seen approximately 20 miles branches into malls and shopping strips that until recently north of Washington, D.C. Rockville Town Square is an were strictly commercial. One of the larger examples of a full ambitious $352 million dollar redevelopment effort in the service mall branch can be found in Indianapolis. old city center of Rockville, Maryland. The new Towne Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library’s Glendale Branch Square which will offer 644 condominiums, 180,000 square features a full service branch library in the Glendale feet of retail and restaurant space, a cultural arts building and shopping mall. The 33,000 square foot Glendale Branch a football-field–size town square, will also be the home of library, which opened in October 2000, commands the the Rockville Regional Library, the largest library in the space of an anchor tenant, with its own dramatic outdoor Montgomery County system. According to Ross mall entrance. The Glendale branch library features 37 Development and Investment, the developer of Rockville public computers with Internet access, standard office Town Square, the housing units are selling briskly, with the software and printing services, free wireless Internet access, cost of some surpassing the $1 million mark. Key amenities copy machines, public meeting rooms, and laptops for in- identified by early buyers are the mix of shops, ease of access house use and self-checkout. to public transportation and the new 100,000-square-feet Building more economically vibrant urban spaces. state-of-the-art regional library. Thoughtful placement of public library branches can Creating library hybrids. Joint-use facilities that combine catalyze urban areas in need of economic boost. The public libraries with other community amenities are Memphis Public Library’s South Branch, once located in a becoming more common in cities and towns across the quiet residential neighborhood in the south side of country. In some cities public libraries are physically part of Memphis bordering the State of Mississippi, moved to a a local public elementary or middle school. In other larger facility located in a commercial shopping strip in an communities, public libraries share space with community industrial section of town that had lost a considerable recreation centers or senior care facilities. Some joint number of jobs in the past decade. Six of the eight ventures are borne out of economic necessity, as a way to storefronts were vacant when the library moved in. Now, leverage limited development resources or maximize the four years later, the shopping strip is completely full. Though use of a publicly-owned property. In other communities, the South Branch library is not the only factor in the joint-use facilities are a product of a deliberate community revitalization of the South Mall commercial strip, it is planning process. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights reasonable to conclude that local businesses reap a “spin- Public Library - Main Library/Cultural Arts Campus is an off” benefit from the 100,000 visitors that stop by the library example of the latter. After a lengthy community planning each year. process the Cleveland Heights and University Heights Libraries as players in mixed-use developments. Library decided to purchase an old youth services building Library leaders and private developers across the country are across the street from its present location and embark on a beginning to notice distinct advantages to incorporating rebuilding effort that would result in two new buildings public libraries into mixed use, retail and residential areas. In connected by a second story walkway. The new library, the small town of Atascadero, at the foot of the rapidly which will consist of a program building on one side of the growing wine country in San Luis Obispo County California, street– and a library service building on the other, will meet a unique partnership has emerged between the San Luis needs of area residents through expanded library services Obispo City-County Pubic Library and a private local and targeted programming delivered in partnership with developer. The library, which had sorely needed a new local agencies. The programming building of the new building, has agreed to secure a central area in the new library will house after-school programs, an expanded Colony Square development for its new Atascadero branch children's space with a computer area, separate space for library. For its part, the library will get a new facility in a more teens with a homework center, additional computers and a centralized and convenient part of town. The partnership seating which can be rearranged for specialized provides the developer, who had tried unsuccessfully to programming. The new facility will also feature space for attract two different national bookstore chains, with a theatrical productions, classes, and programs for children steady, long-term tenant. Retailers that are moving into the and adults in partnership with a local theater company and Colony’s 140,000 square foot development are excited an art gallery and studio space for local artists. Making Cities Stronger

22 OUTCOMES: HOW LIBRARIES Understand some of the challenges inherent in shared CONTRIBUTE TO PLACE-BASED buildings. Integrating public library facilities into private ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT sector developments can present a number of challenges, STRATEGIES because of the different approaches that local governments and private developers bring to the building process. For Pubic library facilities are versatile, attractive components example, when the city or county wants to develop a civic in a wide variety of developments – downtown, residential, project, architects plan for a 100-year life span, while private mixed-use, commercial, and joint-use service sites residential and mixed-use architects often plan at a different standard. One of the key elements in making this type of Pubic libraries in mixed-use and residential developments partnership work is to work through these different contribute to safety and quality of life approaches in the early phase of the project. Even when Long term tenancy of public libraries reduces some of the building public joint-use facilities, such as schools and financial risk associated with building mixed-used libraries, there are many issues best addressed in the design developments phase, such as access and security.

Public libraries attract foot traffic and can serve the anchor tenant function in commercial areas without directly CONCLUSION competing with local businesses While this chapter only touches on the role of public libraries as catalysts for physical development, the past twenty years STRATEGIES FOR have witnessed an incredibly wide range of place-based BROADENING THE IMPACT OF development efforts in which public libraries play a LIBRARIES IN PHYSICAL supporting role. In major city centers like Seattle WA, Des DEVELOPMENTS Moines IA, Minneapolis MN, Salt Lake City UT, and Jacksonville FL multi-million dollar central libraries manage Demonstrate that public and private services can to make a considerable mark on the look and feel of work together in mutually supportive ways. When downtown areas. In inner and outer suburbs, a plethora of voters in local governments are asked to support referenda new branch libraries and regional facilities are increasingly for libraries, the appeal is rarely supported by a discussion of being integrated into commercial strips and malls, the potential economic development contributions the contributing the valued commodity of foot traffic to local library can provide. Integrating libraries into different types businesses, anchoring redevelopment, and providing of developments keeps resources and services visible and quality of life amenities to neighborhoods. More recently, accessible, and the amenity value of public libraries high. developers of mixed-use projects have begun to incorporate public libraries into the initial design along side Be proactive in identifying the ways in which public retail and residential spaces, adding significant public libraries can complement local development plans. amenity value to burgeoning commercial, office, and Mixed-use developments are relatively new economic residential corridors. developments tools. Some economic development professionals may be unfamiliar with new development The fact that public libraries fit seamlessly into these vastly models that combine housing, retail and public services, different environments is a testament to the versatility of the including public libraries. institution and the high degree of public value it enjoys. Whether located in a center city business district, suburban Provide data to change developer perceptions. Have commercial corridor, mall, housing or retail development, library financial and use statistics ready to define the ways in demand for new public libraries, as measured by the which libraries may contribute to the financial success of circulation and library use statistics, consistently exceeds prospective projects. Financiers tend to view mixed-use expectations. One would be hard pressed to identify development as complex and difficult. Library financial another public or private development that could operate information speaks to stability of rent and use statistics speak on such vastly different scales in so many different settings to the all important traffic that benefits adjacent retail and attract such a diverse stream of visitors and consumers. businesses. Chapter 5 Chapter

23 Conclusions ABOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY CONTRIBUTIONS CHAPTER 6

ITH OVER 16,000 BRANCHES in over 9,000 expanding their traditional role in early literacy, engaging systems across the country, public libraries in high impact strategies with community partners. They W are among the most widely distributed are leading public awareness campaigns, reaching new public services available to Americans. This report mothers with materials and resources that promote highlights some of the ways in which public library reading early and often. Extensive early literacy training resources and services contribute to individual, family, and with home and professional child care givers is helping to community economic vitality. The report shows that raise levels of school readiness and success. Public libraries libraries are positioned to support the expansion of are reaching many young children and families in diverse technology skills, continuous learning, critical research, and neighborhoods across the country. These services are the local-to-global networks of information that are the fuel of first link in a chain of investments needed to build an economies today. educated, competitive workforce.

Public libraries are logical partners for local economic Library employment and career services are development initiatives that focus on people and quality of preparing workers with new technologies. With an life. They provide a broad range of information services to array of public computers, Internet access, and training, diverse constituencies. They are part of formal and informal public libraries are a first point of entry for many new community networks and initiatives that support education, technology users. Over ninety percent of public libraries jobs and careers, business and cultural activity, and civic regularly offer training to use and build technology skills. pride. Library resources, services and facilities leverage and New library job and career service models are mobile and expand other local agencies’ capacity and expertise. adaptable, providing value to both job seekers and employers. Increasingly, libraries are working with local Public libraries are unique, open institutions, where people partners to better understand local workforce trends and have access to information, technology and training on an to have a greater community-wide impact on workforce as-needed basis. With digital information and greater readiness and “retooling” in an era of rapid and outreach, libraries are transforming the way they interact transformative change. with the public. They are becoming much more proactive and collaborative, contributing in a variety of ways to Small business resources and programs are lowering stronger local economic development conditions. barriers to market entry. One of the biggest traditional barriers to small business has been access to current data on Early Literacy services are a key foundation for long- products, suppliers, financing sources, and competitors. term economic success. Given strong and growing Public libraries are the source for new online business evidence that investments in early literacy yield a high databases that reach entrepreneurs around the clock. return and compound over time, public libraries are Additionally, libraries are offering an increasing variety of Making Cities Stronger

24 FIGURE 3:Public Strategies Library andContributions toLocal Economic Development ULCLBAY TAEISECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTIONS PUBLIC LIBRARY STRATEGIES Child care trainingandcertification Outreach to parents andcaregivers to PreKBaby Lap-Sit reading activities CampaignsCommunity Early Literacy Career skills workshops (w/agencies) workshops Career skills resources &services English languagetraining, adult literacy Access to technology training Access to internet Access to technology Workforce Development Joint-Use Mall, commercial development Mixed-use, residential or“main”) “central” (often Downtown Physical Development businesses Technical assistanceto existing micro-enterprises Technical and assistancefor start-ups Access to databasesandotherresources Small BusinessSupport improve qualifications childcare worker Strengthen childcare community-wide , provider network Elevate literacy, levels ofearly improve ofchildcare quality Elevate literacy, levels ofearly resources expandlearning Elevate awareness oftheneedto read andoften early School readiness/academic success audiences/reach ofagencies Provide for career pathways, support expand economicsustainability Expand employmentopportunities, andopportunities Expand employmentskills opportunities Expand accessto employmentsearch andapplication Expand employmentaptitudes, competencies economiccapacity community long-term andcompetencies oflocalworkforce,Expand quantity advantages resources, increase for ofenterprises clustering competitive lower costs ofotherlocalagencieswithshared facilitiesand Strengthen viablesmallbusinesssector, expandreach and expandsmallbusinesssector small businesssupport, rates, expandaudiencefor otherlocalagenciesinvolved in reduce failure to market, entering Reduce costsandbarriers Reduce costfor research and planning creation baseandstimulate newjob localenterprise Strengthen key consumers/service providers consumers/service Reduce development costs, generate synergy of developer financingpro forma Generate traffic, butnot salescompetition,strengthens oflifequality andsafety Provide value, generate amenity foot traffic, increase commercial andcultural activity Anchor development, generate foot traffic, revitalize lifeContribute and suburban to vibranturban 25 Chapter 6 business development workshops conducted with agencies Making Cities Stronger adds to the body of research and corporate partners. These resources and programs are pointing to a shift in the role of public libraries - from reducing market entry costs for start-up businesses, and passive places for recreational reading and research to strengthening the important local sector of small and micro- active agents for local economic development. Libraries enterprises. Libraries are in the vanguard, trying new are helping to raise levels of literacy, digital dexterity, and business development strategies. In Brooklyn, seed money entrepreneurial activity in communities, working is awarded to promising new ventures. In Phoenix (AZ), the collaboratively within local, regional and state networks. public library is part of a statewide network of business, Rather than succumbing to obsolescence with the advent economic development and library professionals who are of new information technologies, the basic business of seeking to expand and diversify the economic base by public libraries is being recast. promoting synergy among clusters of enterprises. Figure 3 provides a quick reference summary to the Public library buildings are catalysts for physical strategies and contributions to economic development development. Libraries are frequented local destinations. noted in this report. Figure 4 provides a summary of Researchers for this study repeatedly found that public thought-starter ideas for considering how public libraries libraries are highly regarded, and are seen as contributing might strengthen and broaden the impact of their resources to stability, safety and quality of life in neighborhoods. further which are found at the ends of Chapters 2-5. Among private sector developers of malls, commercial Public libraries are positioned to fuel not only new, but corridors, mixed-use developments and joint-use facilities, next economies given the rise of new service and libraries are gaining recognition for other qualities – their partnership models, and effective “niche” roles in building ability to attract tremendous foot traffic, provide long-term strong, resilient local economies and vibrant, livable places. tenancy, and complement neighboring retail and cultural destinations.

FIGURE 4: Ways Public Libraries Can Broaden their Impact on and Contributions to Local Economic Development Conditions

Early Literacy/School Readiness Small Business Support Broaden support for outreach Invest in targeted staff training on new databases Establish strong partnerships with area child care providers Build community-wide access to business information resources Continually evaluate early literacy programs and collect Aggressively market library business resources data on effectiveness over time Understand and support small business clusters Understand small business financing

Workforce Development Provide tailored support for micro-enterprises Establish strong connections with area workforce development agencies Physical Development Build better employer connections Demonstrate the symbiotic benefits of public and private Know your customers – what do they need? how do they development prefer to get it? Identify ways public libraries complement local development plans Know the broader workforce outlook Provide data to change developer perceptions Making Cities Stronger

26 APPENDIX

REFERENCES

Barnow, Burt and Christopher T. King. 2005. “The Workforce Eberts, Randall W. and George Erickcek. 2002. “The Role of Investment Act in Eight States.” Prepared for US Partnerships in Economic Development and Labor Markets Department of Labor Employment and Training in the United States.” Upjohn Institute Staff Working Paper Administration. No. 02-75. W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment. http://www.utexas.edu/research/cshr/pubs/pdf/Rockefell Foorman BR, Anthony J, Seals L, Mouzaki A. 2002. er_Institute_Final_Report2-10-05.pdf “Language development and emergent literacy in Barron, Daniel, et al. 2005. The Economic Impact of Public preschool.” Seminars in Pediatric Neurology. 9(3):173-84. Libraries on South Carolina. University of South Carolina. Gordon, Margaret. et al. 2003. “Most Libraries Maintaining Berk and Associates. 2005. “THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Public Access Computing Programs, but 25% Are Still CENTRAL LIBRARY: ECONOMIC BENEFITS ASSESSMENT: The Fragile.”Report to Gates Foundation. Evans School of Public Transformative Power of a Library to Redefine Learning, Affairs, University of Washington Seattle, Washington. Community, and Economic Development”. Griffiths, Jose-Marie, et al. 2004. Taxpayer Retun on http://www.spl.org/pdfs/SPLCentral_Library_Economic_I Investment in Florida Public Libraries: Summary Report. mpacts.pdf Prepared for the State Library and Archives of Florida. Bertot, John Carlo, et al. 2006. Public Libraries and the Hart Research, 2006. Public Access Computers in Public Internet 2006: Study Results and Findings. Florida State Libraries. Study commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates University. Foundation. Bertot, John. C., McClure, Charles., and Ryan, J. 2002. Heckman, James and Dimitriy V. Masterov. 2004. “The “Impact of external technology funding programs in public Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children.” libraries: A study of LSTA, E-rate, Gates, and others” Public Working Paper 5, Invest in Kids Working Group, Committee Libraries 41(3): 166-171. for Economic Development. Chicago, IL: University of Bellworthy, Cartright. 1990. "Reform of Congressional Chicago. Remuneration." Political Review 7(6): 89, 93-94. http://jenni.uchicago.edu/Invest/FILES/dugger_2004-12- 02_dvm.pdf Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne and Lisa B. Markman. 2005. “The Contribution of Parenting to Ethnic and Racial Gaps in Hill, Edward W. 1998. “Principles for Rethinking the Federal School Readiness”. The Future of Children. 15(1). Government Role in Economic Development.” Economic Development Quarterly 12(4), 299-312. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) 2006. “Economic Impact Study: Regional Benefits of the Carnegie Library of Holt, Glen, and Donald Elliott. 2002. "Cost-Benefit Analysis: Pittsburgh.” Pittsburgh: CMU Center for Economic A Summary of the Methodology," The Bottom Line: Development. Managing Library Finances. 15, 154-158.

Currie, Janet. 2001. "Early Childhood Education Programs," Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. 2005. State of the Journal of Economic Perspectives. 15. Inner City Economies: Small Businesses in the Inner City. Report to the Small Business Administration. October 2005. Denton, Kristin and Jerry West. 2002. “Children's Reading Boston, MA. and Mathematics Achievement in Kindergarten and First Grade”. Education Statistics Quarterly. 4(1), 19-26. Karoly, Lynn, et al. 1998. "Investing in our Children: What We Know and Don't Know About the Cost and Benefit of Early Doeringer, P., D. Terkla, and C. Evans Klock. 2002. Startup Childhood Interventions." Santa Monica CA: RAND. Factories: High Performance Management, Job Quality, and Regional Advantage. New York: Oxford University Press. Katz, Cheryl, Christopher Hoene Dylan, Nicole de Kervor. 2003. Strengthening Families in America’s Cities: Early Durrance, Joan C. 1994. Meeting community needs through Childhood Development. Washington, DC: National League job and career centers. New York: Neal-Schuman. of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. References

27 28 Making Cities Stronger SURVEY SITES THREE. Readiness inInfants andToddlers. 2003. Rebecca Parlakian, ofFlorida. Final to State Library Florida.” Report Jane B. Robbins. 2000. “Public intheState of Libraries McClure, R.,Bruce Charles T. Fraser, Timothy W. Nelson,and 21st Century Workforce:Building AHighlySkilled ALaborMarket Systemfor National Center onEducationandtheEconomy. 1997 Public Libraries Lynch, to business. Beverly. service 1998.Public library Review. apathanalysis.” economicproductivity: countries' Liu, Lewis G.2004. to ofpubliclibraries contribution “The Washington DC.August 2006. &Population Institution Brookings Reference Bureau, Survey”.Cities from Community the2004American ofChild Indicators Well-Being intheCity: inLarge“Kids East Baton Parish Rouge Library ofColumbia PublicDistrict Library Public County Library DeKalb Dayton Metro Library Columbus Metropolitan Library Cleveland Public Library Public County Library Chesterfield System Library RegionalChattahoochee Valley PublicCarroll County Library ofPittsburghCarnegie Library PublicBrooklyn Library Baltimore Public County Library Atlanta-Fulton System Public Library Library District Ann Arbor Anchorage MunicipalLibraries PublicAllen County Library System Library Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library Alameda County 53:9, 435–441. Washington D.C. . 37:6,382-386. Before theABCs:Promoting School Washington, DC:ZERO TO Pioneer Library System Pioneer Library Pima Public County Library SystemPierce Library County Oshawa Public Library Library PublicNew York PublicMinneapolis Library Public Library Milwaukee System Metropolitan Library PublicMemphis Library PublicMadison Library Libraries Lincoln City Library County Kern Public City Library Kansas Library Johnson County Jacksonville Public Library Library Public County Marion Indianapolis Hartford Public Library PublicGrand Rapids Library Fresno Library County Library public libraries.” withinaregional –therole context delivery of service andBriony Wilson,Train. Kerry 2002. “Business information Development. andEmergent“Child Development Literacy” Whitehurst, Grover J. J. andChristopher Lonigan. 1998. 19-34. Partnership Programs”. Comprehensive School, Family, andCommunity in Sanders, G.2001. Mavis Roleof “The ‘Community’ Minneapolis. MN:Federal Minneapolis, Bankof Return. Reserve Public withaHigh EconomicDevelopment Development: Grunewald. Childhood andRob 2003.Early Art Rolnick, Economy.” LocalEconomic Development: Clusters inaGlobal Porter, E.2000. Michael “Location, Competition, and Economic Quarterly Development 69:3, 848-72. Business InformationReview Worcester Public Library Toledo-Lucas Public County Library Public Library Spokane Libraries Sno-Isle Seattle Public Library Library Santa ClaraCounty Library San Luis ObispoCity-County San Francisco Public Library Public City Library Salt Lake Saint Paul Public Library PublicRedwood City Library Queens Library County Mahoning of Public Library Youngstown and Hamilton County ofCincinnatiand Public Library County Mecklenburg and ofCharlotte Public Library Public ofSaginaw Libraries Providence Public Library The Elementary School Journal. School The Elementary . 19:2,14-20. 14:1, 15-34. 102:1 Child CASE STUDY SITE INTERVIEWS

BROOKLYN, NY Rachel Payne FRESNO, CA Coordinator of Preschool Services Farid Ali Rita Del Testa Co-Owner Bogata Latin Bistro Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn, NY Librarian, Kermin Branch Library BPL, Business Library PowerUP Fresno County Library Program Winner Susan Phillips Kermin, CA Brooklyn, NY Director, Business Library Monica Espinoza Carrie Banks Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn, NY Core Services Supervisor Supervising Librarian Workforce Connection Child's Place for Children with Letisha Wadsworth Fresno, CA Special Needs Child Development Support Brooklyn Public Library Corporation Ralph Garcia Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn, NY Director of Community Development Economic Development Corporation Joan Bartholomeo Fresno, CA President Brooklyn Economic Development COLUMBUS, OH Gabriel Gonzalez Corporation Julie Arter City Manager Brooklyn, NY Business Information Specialist Science City of Mendota, CA Jerome Bass Business and News Division Bernice Kao Cypress Hills Child Care Center Columbus Metropolitan Library Workforce Development Librarian Brooklyn, NY Columbus, OH Fresno Public Library Fresno, CA Shelly Drexler Pat Claeys William O’Connor School Early Childhood Specialist Patricia Pondexter Brooklyn, NY Outreach Services Division Associate County Librarian Columbus Metropolitan Library Fresno County Library Elisa Glenn Columbus, OH Fresno, CA Community Outreach Specialist Business Library LuAnn McCauley Supervisor Brooklyn Public Library HARTFORD, CT Brooklyn, NY Childcare Certification Unit Franklin County Department of Job Mary Albro Mary Graham and Family Services Business Librarian Director of Neighborhood Services Columbus, OH Hartford Public Library Brooklyn Public Library Hartford, CT Brooklyn, NY Nancy Stall CBA, Special Program Coordinator Sadiyo Adell Stuart Leffler Ohio Small Business Development Literacy Program Participant Mgr. Economic Development Centers at Columbus State Hartford Public Library Con Edison Community College Hartford, CT Brooklyn, NY Columbus, OH Louise Blalock Traci Lester Susan Studebaker Library Director Reach Out and Read of Greater Associate Director of Public Services Hartford Public Library New York Public Services Administration Hartford, CT New York, NY Columbus Metropolitan Library Columbus, OH Debra Carrier Perry Kathleen Parisi Early Childhood Literacy National Business Development Two early childhood program Hartford Public Library Officer participants (childcare providers from Hartford, CT Citigroup CCDE the Family Childcare Storytime Brooklyn, NY Program). Catherine D’Italia Library Development Officer Three anonymous business program Hartford Public Library participants (attendees at the B.A.S.E. Hartford, CT workshop). Appendix

29 30 Making Cities Stronger Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library Director ofStaffDevelopment Damone Virgilio Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library Branch Manager North Inger Upchurch Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library Manager,Senior BusinessandSciences Barb Shultz Memphis, TN CenterDevelopment Business Minority Memphis Gary Rowe Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library Children’s Coordinator Service Mary Seratt Memphis, TN LearningDeNeuville Center Lakshmie Napagoda Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library JobLINC, 211 Audrey May Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library CoordinatorAdult Services Heather Lawson Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library Director Judith Drescher Memphis, TN PublicMemphis Library BranchSouth Manager Pam Brooks MEMPHIS, TN Hartford, CT Hartford Public Library PlaceAmerican Librarian Homa Naficy Hartford, CT Hartford Public Library Small BusinessProgram Participant Willie Dowdell Providence, RI Love for AllChildcare YMCA Childcare Center: Daycare Provider Brian Kirby Providence, RI Ready to Learn Providence Director-AmeriCorps Assistant Nazly Guzman-Singletary Providence, RI Providence Public Library Librarian Dorey Conway Providence, RI At theProvidence Public Library The Family Program Literacy Literacy Teacher Evelyn Castillo Providence, RI Center for Women &Enterprise Stacey Carter Providence, RI Love for AllChildcare YMCA Childcare Center: Daycare Provider Tonya Butler Providence, RI Providence Public Library Staff Administrator, PPL Kathyellen Bullard PROVIDENCE, RI NJ Newark, Rutgers University ProfessorDistinguished Service Board ofGovernors Clement A.Price NJ Newark, CenterDevelopment New Community Workforce Matthew McDermott NJ Newark, PublicNewark Library Director Wilma J.Grey NJ Newark, Career CenterOne-Stop Wendy Giron NEWARK NJ Providence, RI Providence Public Library Early Literacy Coordinator Erica Wilder Providence, RI Providence Public Library Bilingual Computer Trainer Ana Vargas Providence, RI Providence Public Library Library Director Dale Thompson Providence, RI At theProvidence Public Library The Family Program Literacy Literacy Teacher Karissa Tashjian Providence, RI Department Providence Public School Communications Officer Maria Tacco Providence, RI Providence Public Library PPL Staff Shane Sher Providence, RI Y ChildCare Daycare Provider Matty Proctor Providence, RI Providence Public Library Business Librarian Ann Poulos Providence, RI Providence Public Library Coordinator ofTeen Power Program Soran Pan Providence, RI Providence Public Library Literacy Coordinator Louise Moulton Providence, RI ProvidenceReady ToLearn Memorial Branch AmeriCorps Member-Knight Julissa Lugo Providence, RI Ready to Learn Providence ofProjectDirector Operations Stan Kuziel Arroyo Grande, CA Small BusinessConsultant Laurie Rai San Bernardino, CA Real EstateBroker J.C. Martin Atascadero, CA Developer Dr. JamesHarrison San Luis Obispo, CA Library PublicSan Luis ObispoCity-County Director Brian Reynolds CA Oceana, Altrusa Juan DelChristian San Luis Obispo, CA Council ofSanLuisLiteracy Obispo Bernadette Bernardi CA Oceana, Supervisor County Katcho Achadian SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS Harrisburg, PA Education of Pennsylvania Department ofCommonwealthOffice Libraries toPublicHead ofStateAid Libraries Matt Kane Boston, MA Commissioners BoardMassachusetts ofLibrary Library BuildingConsultant Patience K.Jackson Alliance, OH Rodman Public Library Librarian Extension Services Nicole Edwards Tucson, AZ Pima Public County Library Coordinator ofYouth Services Gina Macaluso Tucson, AZ Pima Public County Library Library Director Nancy Ledeboer Tucson, AZ Pima Public County Library Small BusinessLibrarian Tom Farmer Tucson, AZ Metropolitan EducationCommission Programs Coordinator Fran EmbreySenechal Tucson, AZ BusinessSolutions Clearview President Debbie Elver TUCSON, AZ Arroyo Grande, CA Tally Vineyard Paul Richardson Detroit, MI Library Detroit Main Center Career &Employment Information Librarian Dorothy Manty Chicago, IL Director Deputy PLA Barb Macikas Cleveland Heights, OH HeightsPublicUniversity Library Cleveland Heights/ Love BunniPress Staff, Library Independent Publisher John Piché Tucson, AZ Metropolitan EducationCommission Director June Webb-Vignery Tucson, AZ Opportunities Tucson Regional Economic Vice President, Strategic Services Nancy Smith Tucson, AZ Pima Public County Library Youth Librarian Services Mary Sanchez Tucson, AZ Pima Public County Library Branch Computer InstructoratElPueblo Alma Peralta Des Moines, IA Des ofIowa State Library Consultant Gerry Rowland NY New York, Library Journal Bette-Lee Fox 31 Appendix