The purpose of this section is to identify the problems and opportunities of the libraries and archives industry that might affect Sno-Isle Libraries’ use and implementation of communication technologies. First, a basic overview of the industry will be discussed. The industry’s performance will be analyzed thoroughly, as key external factors that affect the industry’s problems and opportunities will be identified. Operating systems, which includes technologies, products and services that are utilized and offered in the industry establishments, will be discussed. Additionally, the competitive landscape will be discussed in order to complete a thorough analysis of the problems and opportunities of the industry. Finally, a conclusion of the section’s key points will be provided, as well as a preview of the next section’s purpose.
Libraries and Archives Industry Overview
Industry establishments, or libraries, provide archiving services that include organizing and sustaining informational, educational, recreational and research documents that are accessible to the public. In addition to these documents, libraries also collect audio/audiovisual material, photographs and maps. Establishments in the libraries and archives industry primarily focus on public and private libraries, as university and corporate libraries are excluded due to their potentially limiting services (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junea). For this case study, the analyses conducted will be primarily focused on public libraries, as Sno-Isle Libraries is a public library system. However, the information provided can also apply to private libraries. The difference between public and private libraries is that the latter operates on a for-profit business model through factors such as customer memberships.
Over the past few years, the libraries and archives industry has endured gradually declining financial and customer deprivation due to several external factors. In essence, funding for libraries are predominately sourced by the local, state and federal levels (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junec). Donations from the public are also a steady form of revenue, as public libraries do not charge customers by membership fees in comparison to private libraries. However, aside from an individual’s personal interest, donations are primarily influenced by a customer’s disposable income status. Within the lines of demographic segmentation of the industry’s customers, education is another factor in the likelihood of customers visiting and interacting with establishments and their services (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junea).
Libraries and Archives Industry Performance
Public libraries are predominately dependent on outside funding from respective governments. According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, over 90% of revenue for public libraries are sourced by local and state governments (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junec). Meaning, the economic status of a government is typically the deciding factor for the financial stability of a public library. Currently, government funding for public libraries has decreased due to slow economic recuperation succeeding the recession (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junec).
One of the factors that impacts the slow recovery is the decline in disposable income, which is another factor that can influence a government’s budget. Disposable income is also a direct factor in the financial bearings of private libraries, which are establishments that are on a for-profit basis through memberships. If customers do not possess a comfortable disposable income, then they are less willing to spend money towards private library memberships.
Industry funding can also come from federal creative arts programs, which can lead libraries to expanding their archives collection; this can directly influence desire for customer interactions in both public and private libraries. However, federal funding is expected to also face a decline, which adds to the financial threats of the industry (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junee).
States in the country have library referenda, bond measures and tax levies (per county) that are up for vote by the public in order to determine the financial future of libraries. These referenda are often the immediate bridge between the libraries and the public, as election results directly impact libraries. This year, 2018 referenda across the country have had varied results. Some states were successful in passing levies and measures to secure increased funding, while other states failed and have to prepare for squeezing budgets by cutting programs and closing branches. However, many state counties have encountered extremely narrow results in votes, which have gone both ways in many cases (Ford, 2018, November 8). These results show the delicate fulcrum that the industry is balancing on, and how support for libraries can vary.
On the customer level, aside from disposable income, education status can affect the industry from a far standpoint. As the number of students rise in population, primarily on the K-12 level, participation and demand for library programs are expected to increase in parallel. These programs will assist libraries in creating opportunities for public donations, as the desire to sustain the programs will be influenced by a library’s budget. Although in minuscule increments, the population of K-12 students are expected to increase by 0.1% (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junee). In general, students in from the millennial generation are more likely to use public libraries; results from a 2016 Pew Research Center survey indicated that millennials (at the time) used public libraries more often than any other generation (Greiger, 2017, June 21). These results, though a bit outdated, show that there are opportunities for libraries to create incentive for funding.
The financial landscape of the libraries and archives industry is crucial to thoroughly analyze because of how dependent the industry is. Excluding the private sector, libraries are not self-sufficient enough to sustain financial holding in the market. As society advances, libraries are finding themselves more prone to becoming stagnate; however, this may not be solidified in nature. From now to 2022, the industry is expected to continue expansion at a modest pace as the economy supports public and private sectors alike (O’Hollaren, 2017, Juned). Rising income levels will provide opportunities for tax revenues to increase, which will yield more funding for libraries (given the referenda passes in favor of the industry). Local and state government investment is projected to grow at an annualized rate short of 1% (O’Hollaren, 2017, Juned). Although these small increments will likely not be enough for a substantial improvement in industry performance and financial stability, they reveal a growing urgency to explore opportunities for gaining support from customers.
Operating Systems in the Libraries and Archives Industry
As mentioned before, libraries offer archival services that are accessible to the public (membership status affects private libraries). These archival services allow customers to research information through computer workstations, online and digital databases, print material, electronic books and professional assistants (O’Hollaren, 2017, Juneg). Within these services, customers are also allowed to utilize the workstations and resources for other purposes, such as independent work and research. Outside of the technologies that were mentioned in these services, libraries also utilize social media to update customers on programs, events and other information regarding the establishments and its resources and services (O’Hollaren, 2017, Junef).
Although not technically considered ‘operating systems,’ library staff are often looked at as a primary resource at libraries. In a Pew Research study conducted in 2016, a majority of adults report that public libraries help them in finding new information (Geiger, 2017, August 30). Librarians are generally required to have a master’s degree in the library or information science field in order to provide accurate and professional service to customers. Although those with bachelor’s degrees can obtain part-time positions, these degrees only prove to be “sufficient” in providing professional service. Those pursuing librarian positions are usually required to seek professional experience or pursue graduate school due to the industry emphasis on ensuring accurate and quality information-cultivating services (Reep, 2014, July 28). Despite the changes in the surrounding environment of the industry, library staff have remained to be an important and necessary factor in the operating systems, as they will also be depended on for the implementation of new technologies.
Competitive Landscape of the Libraries and Archives Industry
The formation of a library is dependent on geographic and demographic status in a given area. Government factors influence public libraries, while independent investments drive private sectors, with the latter of the two being the minor in number. Despite evident competition between public and private libraries, the focus of establishments is based on internal factors that lead to success or survival (O’Hollaren, 2017, Juneb).
In recent years, the industry has and will continue to face competition from online data resources and other forms of electronic entertainment and information archive. It is expected that competition from the internet will increase into 2022; regardless of public or private status, libraries must continue to constantly adapt to this competing industry in order to maintain patronage (O’Hollaren, 2017, Juneb).
However, on the local level, libraries primarily “compete” with neighboring systems in the surrounding area. Because libraries predominately depend on government funding, the remaining vitality is influenced by customers. Therefore, libraries usually focus on consolidating the local population and maintaining engagement and public reception. This will be more relevantly explored in part two, regarding Sno-Isle and other local libraries in the Puget Sound area.
Conclusion and Preview
The libraries and archives industry is a balancing act of dependent and independent, internal and external factors. Funding is primarily sourced from local, state and federal governments, while the economic and demographic status of customers make up for the remains. The digital prioritization of online content that is growing around the industry is an ongoing threat for the survival of libraries. However, libraries have traditional roots to their target audiences as information consultants and are on the surface level of adapting to this trend. As libraries have been traditionally known first for the database and archival services they provide, the implementation of other communication technologies has been in experimentation for many libraries. In the next section, a thorough analysis of the communication technologies in the industry will be conducted, as well as how Sno-Isle Libraries use communication technologies.
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An Analysis of the Sno-Isle Libraries' Use of Communication Technologies 