Library Media Funding

The objective of this lesson is to discuss the best practices for operating a financially stable and cost-effective library media program including planning, budgeting, and evaluating resources.

Money has long been known to bring out the best or worst in mankind. It can bring out sinful greed or kind charity. Like or loathe it, money is a necessary evil. This is true in both a personal and professional context. A library media specialist (LMS) must be aware of how to operate a healthy program which includes resource management.

!!!Funding Sources Sources of funding for a school's library media center (LMC) comes from myriad places including a conglomeration of government (local, state and federal) funding programs. Typically, there is a

Some LMC's have a "Friends of the Library" or other such committee to promote fundraising efforts. Further, some school libraries have supporters including businesses, corporations, and other such benefactors. Library promotions and special events can also serve as a fundraiser.

Because the role of the library now includes technology access, funding can also be sought for this specific need. One example is the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program. This program helps schools and libraries effectively obtain high-speed internet.

Foundations, such as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, often support library funding. This support is sometimes generally provided (for any need area). Other times the use of the funds is specific to a need such as technology integration or access.

Obtaining and utilizing grant money is another viable option for school library media centers. Grants typically revolve around specific use and must be utilized for their intended purpose. Grantwatch.com is essentially a search engine where nonprofits can look for funding opportunities. Donorschoose.org is a site where educators can propose projects for specific needs. There, crowd-funding opportunities can be combined and multiple donations work together to fully-fund

Exact numbers in accounting are key.

!Complete
The budget should contain a thorough and complete idea of financial activity. To correctly understand the finances involved in the library media center, the budget must provide a complete picture. The completeness of the budget is one measure of the financial health of the facility.

!Uniform format
Regardless if showing the short- or long-term, the budget should remain in a uniform format. This is to allow for easy comparison and contrasting. This also provides valuable data for the library in terms of financial health and effectiveness.

!!!Evaluating
Once funding is secured; foundation and community partnerships are created; and a budget is thoughtfully designed, evaluation must occur to examine success. In order to ensure the library is following its budget, human, informational, and physical resources must be examined for effectiveness.

In order to evaluate the overall health of a program, a LMS should use multiple