“Get Your Geek On” at Pearl River Day!

Saturday October 1 at Pearl River Day the Pearl River Public Library and volunteers from the Teen Library Council will unveil the “Geek the Library” campaign. In this nationwide library awareness program the word “geek” is used as a verb meaning to love, to enjoy, or to celebrate.  Everyone has something that they are passionate about—something they geek. 

Whatever you geek, serious or fun, the public library has the materials and resources to support you! With the help of LARC, the Library Association of Rockland County, several libraries have already introduced “Geek the Library” in their communities at local events around the county. The goal of the campaign is to inspire a conversation about this country’s incredible public libraries and their urgent need for support. With community advocacy and involvement it is important to help debunk old stereo types and myths about the public library

Several myths and realities about our nation’s public libraries:

Myth: The busier the library, the more money it receives. Reality: Unfortunately, library funding is not based on use or demand. Most libraries work on annual budgets based mainly on city or county allocations, or property tax allocations.

Myth: The federal government funds U.S. public libraries. Reality: Actually, the majority of library budgets come from local sources, in most cases as much as 80 percent, and federal sources make up less than 20 cents per capita annual operating revenue.

Myth: “I’m already funding the library by paying my late fees and purchasing items at book sales.” Reality: Late fees and book sale dollars provide a very modest contribution to libraries and support replacement of materials lost or items not returned. Fees and fines are not sufficient to support operating or program activities.

Myth: “If I do not vote in support of a library operating levy or referendum, other funding from the state or federal government will make up the difference for my library.” Reality: When a library or library system loses a local operating levy or referendum, it can mean cuts in programs, staffing and collections, or closing its doors. In the majority of cases, there is no mechanism for state or federal funding to supplement local support.

You can find this information and more about “Geek the Library” online. This campaign is sponsored by OCLC, a nonprofit library cooperative that provides crucial initiatives to libraries so that they in turn, can deliver the best service to their users. Supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OCLC partnered with Chicago-based marketing communications agency Leo Burnett USA to create the campaign.

As you partake in Pearl River Day remember to stop by the library booth and let us know what you geek! Call 735-4084 for more information about this and any other program at the Pearl River Public Library.