News

Libraries have changed considerably in the last 20 years. But even with the internet, our children still need access to the libraries and specially trained librarians.

We help libraries win elections. Every one of them matters. Some, like the new library district we helped create in Potomac, IL. in 2018 really matter to the community. We can't do it without your donations.

And, if you're wondering about the impact of your donations on libraries and the communities that they serve, let us share this note from the Potomac Library Board of Trustees.

More than half of Americans make at least one New Year’s Resolution for the year. Each new year can be an exciting time to start fresh. However, many people find it extremely difficult to stick to their New Year’s resolutions. According to the U.S. News and World Report, about 80% of people break their New Year’s promises by mid-February. So, should you even bother to make a New Year’s resolution? If you do choose to set a goal for 2020, how can your library help you?

It’s no coincidence that Michigan literacy rates are plummeting at nearly the same rate that school librarians and libraries have been eliminated from schools. (CLICK TO TWEET)

This is a critical time for libraries across the country as we are seeing anti-tax and anti-government groups and politicians come after these institutions. In fact, we’ve seen politicians on both the left and right side of politics threaten to decrease or eliminate library funding and we’ve seen well financed organizations like the Koch Brothers funded, Americans for Prosperity, fight against new libraries in communities. It’s not because they’re against libraries, but because there is no organized opposition to closing a library. They simply don’t think the public will take action when they close a library. But with the right tools and training, the public will fight back. That's why we launched Libraries 2020.

One of the things we always hear while campaigning for libraries is that nobody uses libraries anymore. But check out the data and you'll see something completely different.

That's why we're asking you to help us fight against this common misconception by simply clicking to tweet the facts below or sharing this as a post on Facebook.

Did you know that there are more Libraries in the United States than Starbucks or McDonalds? (TWEET THIS)

Did you know that more Americans attend library programs than MLB or NBA games combined? (TWEET THIS)

Did you know Americans visit their libraries more than 1.3 billion times? (TWEET THIS)

But most importantly, did you know that over 98% of library funding is dependent on the will of local voters and politicians? (TWEET THIS)

There can be no doubt that America is divided. There are reports that many of us have lost friendships and family relationships due to the historic political divide among us. How can our country heal and come together again?

We launched Libraries 2020 in order to talk to American voters about the importance of voting to support libraries. That’s because over 90% of library funding is dependent on the support of local voters and politicians. Without that support, libraries die.

We're launching Libraries 2020 today to help more American voters learn about the value and importance of our nation's great libraries.

We launched on Giving Tuesday in order to raise the funding we need to reach every voter in the country with a pro-library message throughout 2020.