Support Your Local Library

I performed at the Pearl River Public Library in Pearl River, NY last night. I presented my "Comedy Magic Show" for an audience of about 175, mostly kids, but a lot of adults as well. All in all, it was a good show. My "Cards Across" routine went south when my 2 volunteers suddenly lost the ability to count to 10 and kept switching names on me, but other than that, I was pleased with the show and the group.

One of the reasons libraries invite me to perform is to generate a walk-in crowd on Budget Vote day. Each year, libraries, just like school districts, have the taxpayers come in and vote on the upcoming year's budget. Sometimes they are voting for a large increase, for example, when a library is planning a major renovation. In the 15 or so years I've been working at libraries, I've seen some of my regular clients undergo some amazing overhauls. The South Country Library in Bellport, NY; The Bethpage Library in Bethpage, NY; the Sachem Public Library in Sachem, NY; East Islip Public Libary in East Islip, NY; the Princeton Public Library in Princeton, NJ; all of these have made some amazing upgrades in the past few years. Libraries in general have morphed into a community center. Most libraries now offer programs for kids (that's where I come in!), adults and families; internet access; DVD, CD, and VHS rentals; tax preparation assistance and tax forms; many now even have coffee shops. Many of them even have books you can borrow for free!

In view of the amazing array of services available for little or no cost at the local library, two things amaze me. First, I can't believe how few people avail themselves of all these amenities. For most people, their library is only a few minutes away, and in many instances, it's within walking distance. Seeing how expensive things are getting in general, you would think people would flock to a place offering free entertainment and other services.

The second thing that surprises me harkens back to the budget vote thing. I understand that no one likes to pay taxes, and voting against budgets is a way to express that feeling. Each year, our local daily newspaper publishes the results of the school district budget votes, and year after year, the number of schools having their budgets defeated remains high. While I disagree with the sentiments of those who feel teachers are overpaid and have a cushy schedule, I can at least understand those feelings being the basis of a "No" vote on a school budget. The average person who gets 2 or 3 weeks paid vacation a year looks at those 2-3 months off every summer and thinks teachers have it easy. Having worked in many schools through the years, I can tell you the truth is dramatically different, but I'm not the voice of authority on this; I'm just the magician.

But even if you are willing to vote against your kids' school budget and eliminate the music program, after-school activities, and sports programs, it still makes no sense to me to vote against your library budget. There is no way anyone can think that librarians are overpaid- according to a survey conducted by Denise M. Davis and Jenifer Grady for the American Library Association, mean salaries for librarians are as follows:


Position Types by Mean of Salaries Paid, 2005
Title Regional Salary Data

Director $78,054

Deputy/Associate/Assistant Directors $60,729

Department Heads/Coordinators/Senior Managers $55,833

Managers/Supervisors of Support Staff $44,324

Librarians who do not supervise $47,246

Beginning Librarians $36,486

The mean salary for a library director is only $78,000. This means that the top person at the library is earning less than $100,000 per year. Granted, this is not poverty level, but for someone running the entire operation, that is not exactly living high on the hog. Note too, that many positions in the library require a Master's Degree in Library Science. There are very few private sector jobs that require an advanced degree and pay so little.

Having a good library in your neighborhood is good for property values; it adds to the ambience of your town; it gives kids and families a place to learn and laugh; and it encourages us to grow as individuals. The next time your local library is asking you to vote on the budget, before you go into the booth, think about what you are getting for your money.