Libraries may have unique missions, but the way we accomplish them has a lot in common with many other businesses and institutions. This presentation will take a look what we can learn from bookstores, public radio, parks and recreation departments and other organizations that could help us reduce costs and improve revenues for libraries. And what could happen if we don’t.

9. Lean professional and management staff
Plus a lot of part-time, low-paid book lovers
Everybody shelves
Emphasis on self-service
Centralization

12. Superstore 125-200,000 titles
300000
Library with similar circ 142,870
250000
But most of bookstore stock is current titles -- adds
500-700,000 new copies / year
200000
Most150000
of library stock is older – adds only 14,492
copies / year on average book budget of $290K
100000
That’s only 5.2% of the 276,649 titles published in
2007 50000
And that’s only for big libraries …. Average library
0
budget is 1990 1992 1994 would buy2000 2007
only $22K, and 1996 1998 about 1100
books.