These days, with budget cuts and constantly updating ways to access to information, the future of library operations is more uncertain than ever. Over the last decade, many libraries have either been eliminated or downsized. If downsizing is the case for your library, it may be a good time to re-evaluate and determine what is most important to your operations. Here are some tips to help you deal with library downsizing:

• Look at the hours the library is open. Do you now have the staff for coverage? If not, come up with a schedule that best serves your users.
• Don’t think about getting “smaller”, think about getting “better”. There are always ways to improve.
• Are any services being duplicated? Re-evaluate and streamline .
• Have you budgeted for enough technology? No matter the size of your staff, patrons will still rely on technology
• Even though you may have been downsized, don’t overlook any opportunities for innovation. Think about putting a new face forward

Written by: Barbara Maxwell and Tina Baker

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