Rules of Engagement in Economic Development

The Fort Collins Regional Library District was inaugurated today, December 31, 2007. This is a good time to take a new look at the recent study by the Urban Institute and the Urban Libraries Council, Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development.

The rules of engagement in economic development are changing. More and more, economic development success startegies involve people, technology, and growing an infrastructure for economic activity built on ideas, knowledge, experience and quality of life. The Urban Institute and the Urban Libraries Council commissioned this study to see how public libraries contribute to the human dimension in economic development; to strengthening places and community quality of life. Here are some of their findings:

1. Improving Early Literacy and School Readiness. Research shows that there is a strong correlation between investment in early literacy and long-term economic success. Because of this, public libraries are expanding beyond their traditional story time services, engaging in high-impact strategies with community partners. Many libraries lead public awareness campaigns, reaching new mothers with materials and resources that promote reading early and often. Such services are the first link in a chain of investments needed to build the educated workforce that ensures local competitiveness in the knowledge economy. The new Fort Collins Regional Library District has been a leader in providing literacy skills for young people through outreach programs, teen clubs, poetry slams, and more.



2. Library Employment and Career Resources are Preparing Workers with New Technologies. With an array of public computers, free Internet access, and media products, public libraries have become the first point of entry for many new technology users. A 2006 survey by Hart Research found that 70% of people on the computers in libraries only have access through that source. Ninety-two percent (92%) of public libraries surveyed for the Urban Council study provide computer instruction on a montly basis. Now that job readiness, search and application information are all online, libraries are expanding training opportunities, often in collaboration with local workforce agencies, which focus on using and building technology skills. Our library offers year-round classes in Internet searching, basic computer skills, computer skills for seniors, job hunting skills online, homework help online, searching databases, and many others.



3. Small Business Resources and Programs are Lowering Barriers to Market Entry. One of the biggest traditional barriers to small business has been access to current and comprehensive busienss product, supplier, and financing data. Libraries are the source for new online business databases that reach entrepreneurs around the clock. Researchers find that when libraries work with local and state agencies to provide business development data, workshops and research, market entry costs to prospective small busiensses are reduced, existing businesses are strengthened, and new enterprises are created. Our Library District works closely with the City economic advisor, the Small Business Development Center and the County Workforce Center to make sure we have the resources that are needed to start, grow and mature a new business. Recently, the library began a subscription to Thomson/Gale Small Business Resource Center--an online database for business plans, marketing plans, access to small business industry magazines and journals.



4. Public Library Buildings are Catalysts for Physical Development. I loved this portion of the study, showing that libraries are frequently local destinations. Urban Institute researchers repeatedly found that public libraries are highly regarded, and are seen as contributing to stability, safety and quality of life in neighborhoods. They are bolstering downtown and suburban cultural and commercial activity. Among private sector developers of malls, commercial corridors, mixed-use development and joint-use facilities, libraries are gaining recognition for other qualities--their ability to attract tremendous foot traffic, provide long-term tenancy, and complement neighboring retail and cultural destination. Library buildings fit in a wide range of public and private sector development. Here in Fort Collins, the downtown library is becoming a hub of activity, working with the Downtown Business Association in programming and events. Too, with a new mall in south Fort Collins, the library will soon be an upstairs tenant--with 16,000 square feet for a bookstore-style library. And, the Fort Collins Regional Library District's other south branch is a joint-use facility with the local community college. The concept was quite new ten years ago, and is now an active Place for Front Range Community College students, as well as suburban moms and newly-arrived seniors.

The study concludes that public libraries have positioned themselves to fuel not only new, but next economies because of their roles in building technology skills, entrepreneurial activites and vibrant, livable spaces. The combination of stronger roles in eoncomic development strategies and their sheer prevalence (16,000 branches in more than 9,000 systems) make public libraries stable and powerful tools for cities seeking to build strong and resilient economies.

Here's to a New Year and a great new Library District!