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The purpose of this editorial is to draw attention to an issue facing public libraries in our area and generate public discussion on this issue. The issue is diminished state support for the Southwest Wisconsin Library System (SWLS).
Founded in 1974, the SWLS serves Richland, Crawford, Grant, Lafayette, and Iowa counties. It contains 28 libraries including Dodgeville. Headquartered in Fennimore, it is run by 7.25 full-time staff.
State support accounts for about 60% of the SWLS budget. In 2009, the state provided $406,188; in 2010, $391,229; for 2012, $363,314. Comparing 2009 to 2012, support has been diminished 9.47%.
Diminished support is concerning because the SWLS provides important services to libraries. The SWLS makes possible group purchasing of computers and internet at low rates. It facilitates "one system, one card" so users can access any of 28 libraries. It conducts continuing education so librarians remain professionally certified. And it delivers inter-library loan requests: In 2010, Dodgeville users alone made 10,602 such requests.
Small, local libraries such as Dodgeville can be most effective only through cooperation and resource sharing. The SWLS achieves that end.
As Wisconsin confronts recession and deficits, we should remain mindful of the services provided by library systems. Public libraries, and the library systems that help them, are assets to our democracy, our culture, and our economy.