Cheer, cheer for libraries! See the message from Gloria at TLA below. Laurie
Laurie Mahaffey, Deputy Director Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st Street Austin, Texas 78756 www.ctls.net [email protected] 512-583-0704 x18 800-262-4431 x18 ________________________________ From: Gloria Meraz [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:22 PM To: Public Libraries Division Subject: [pld] Texas love public libraries Dear All, TLA has just released the findings of a statewide survey of Texas voters and their opinions about school and public libraries. The results are overwhelming! This survey is the first of its kind for TLA-and Texas-as this is the first state specific public opinion survey on libraries. I'll include the full press release below. To see the full findings, go to: http://www.txla.org/html/pr/survey.html. I will start off by highlighting some very relevant information about public libraries. I hope that you will use the survey within your communities and to promote public libraries. We've sent the press release to every media outlet in the state. So, hopefully, some of you will get questions about your library programs and may want to send a letter to the editor of your local paper about the immense support for our libraries. Also, I hope you all will join us for TLA Legislative Day, as we spread the good word and work for public libraries. Some Key Findings about Texas Public Libraries Texas voters believe nearly unanimously-97% agree (including 78% who strongly agree)-that libraries provide important programs and services for children and young people. Ninety-five percent believe that public libraries improve the quality of life in their communities. Strong majorities across every demographic, geographic, and political spectrum support increasing public funding for both public (81%) and school (82%) libraries, according to survey results. Texas voters agree that public libraries are a good value for tax dollars (94% including 70% who strongly agree) and deserve more funding (87%, including 62% who strongly agree). Full press release Libraries more important than ever, new research shows Texas voters support more funding for public, school libraries Note: Full survey results, including respondent demographics, are available at http://www.txla.org/html/pr/survey.html <http://www.txla.org/html/pr/survey.html> . January 15, 2009 AUSTIN-Libraries are very valuable to Texans-even more so in challenging economic times-and more than eight in 10 voters across the state support increasing funding for school and public libraries, according to a new statewide survey released today by the Texas Library Association (TLA). Conducted by KRC Research on behalf of TLA, the telephone survey of 1,201 registered voters in Texas found that an overwhelming majority believes their public library is very important (79%, with 13% saying fairly important) to their community. Nine in 10 agree that, during economic hard times, public libraries provide important resources to families and job seekers, and 83% believe public libraries support the economy through job skills training, career and job information, and resources for local businesses. When it comes to school libraries, the vast majority of Texans believe that they are almost as important as classroom education. Nearly all respondents (99% including 84% who strongly agree) believe school libraries are essential to education and are willing to vote in support of them. More than nine in 10 (94%) believe that school librarians are critical to student achievement. "I believe strongly that libraries are vital to the success of our schools and communities," says Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo). "They not only provide innovative learning tools for children to develop reading and research skills, but also offer the latest technology and educational resources to the communities they serve." Strong majorities across every demographic, geographic, and political spectrum support increasing public funding for both public (81%) and school (82%) libraries, according to survey results. Texas voters agree that public libraries are a good value for tax dollars (94% including 70% who strongly agree) and deserve more funding (87%, including 62% who strongly agree). "With at least seven in 10 voters supporting increased funding for both public and school libraries, it's clear that Texans not only love libraries-they're willing to support them with their tax dollars," says Carol Brey-Casiano, director of libraries, El Paso Public Library. Texas voters believe nearly unanimously-97% agree (including 78% who strongly agree)-that libraries provide important programs and services for children and young people. Ninety-five percent believe that public libraries improve the quality of life in their communities. Texans say many library services are very important to the community: 83% say reading programs and organized activities for children and young people is very important, and 80% say free access to diverse and current books and other information is very important. The vast majority of respondents (93%) would support legislation that would require public schools to provide students with a school library and librarian that meets statewide standards. More than eight in 10 voters across every demographic segment and geographic region support the legislation, including 88% of Republicans, 95% of Democrats, and 96% of Independents. "Texans clearly see a link between academic success and strong school libraries, with more than eight in 10 voters stating that school libraries make a major contribution to a child's education. Providing kids with robust and innovative learning tools and resources should be one of the highest priorities in our state," says Jim Hundemer, manager of Houston ISD Libraries. Other key findings from the survey: * Public and school libraries enjoy strong and intense voter support regardless of where respondents live or whether they have school-age children. * Texas voters say school libraries are as important as classroom education and nearly eight in 10 believe that school libraries make a major contribution to children's education. * School libraries are viewed as essential because they provide opportunities for children to develop reading and research skills and voters see a link between academic success and strong libraries. * Not only are Texas voters supportive of funding increases, but the vast majority are opposed to funding cuts for public and school libraries. TLA's first comprehensive statewide survey was made possible through the generous support of the Brown Foundation of Houston and the Tocker Foundation of Austin. For detailed survey results and more information, go to http://www.txla.org/html/pr/survey.html. About the survey: Commissioned by the Texas Library Association, KRC Research conducted 1,201 telephone interviews with a random sample of Texas voters from Oct. 17 through Nov. 2 2008. The margin of error for the entire sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points. About the Texas Library Association: The Texas Library Association is the largest state library association in the United States with more than 7,000 members who work in public, school, academic and special libraries, plus library vendors and citizens who support libraries. TLA offers a wide range of services, including an annual conference <http://www.txla.org/conference/conf.html> that attracts more than 8,000 librarians and exhibitors, a leadership development program <http://www.txla.org/groups/talltex/tallldi.html> , continuing education, legislative advocacy <http://www.txla.org/html/govt_aff.html> , and publications <http://www.txla.org/pubs/pubs.html> . For more information, see www.txla.org. Gloria Meraz Director of Communications Texas Library Association 3355 Bee Cave Road, Ste. 401 Austin, TX 78746 512/328-1518; 800/580-2852 (fax)512/328-8852 www.txla.org ******************************************************* You are currently subscribed to pld as: [email protected]. Subscription is automatic, based on member preferences. If you would like to be removed from all of your unit distribution lists, please update your membership setting "I do not want to be automatically subscribed to my Unit electronic distribution list(s)" via the Modify Membership Information/Choices found in the Members Only Section of www.txla.org.
