Two million dollars times three

Abstract

Purpose

To address the issue of using grant funding in the US public libraries. With reduced funding as in most public libraries, the three New York City library systems have partnered with the Urban Library Council (ULC), funded by The Wallace Foundation, to provide additional funds from these alternative sources of income.

Design/methodology/approach

Explores the current programs and services offered at Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) under the grant‐funded sources. In using the funds, this project gave the library a chance to directly connect its goals with the new funds, as well as meet new capacity‐building goals to set the library in new directions.

Findings

The new funding resulted in new staff, retooling positions and activities, task forces and committee work to give buy‐in from different interested parties, and results included expanded services and programs.

Originality/value

Beyond evaluating the need for the funding at this system, much success can be found in the city‐wide collaboration found in this project with all three systems and the ULC working together on this project. These Tri‐Li (three library system) working groups are just one of the many valuable elements of reading this case.

Citation

Woodsworth, A. (2005), "Two million dollars times three", The Bottom Line, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 126-132. https://doi.org/10.1108/08880450510613597