Advocacy

WHAT WE NEED

The Louisville Free Public Library system needs increased financial support to effectively scale its efforts and respond to the evolving community. Our library is funded at less than two-thirds the national average for cities our size, severely impacting the system’s ability to expand services and fully address community challenges. LFPL needs increased annual investment of at least $10 million in operating dollars to appropriately staff, stock, and maintain each library. $1,290,000 in FY23 is the first step.

AVOCACY PLATFORM 2022

2023 PUBLIC FUNDING PRIORITIES

$290,000 Equitable Access
To use many essential resources provided by the library – for example, the digital access provided by public computers – citizens must physically enter branches. Several libraries within the LFPL system do not maintain hours as extensive as others. To do so requires additional staff to operate the facilities. Louisville Metro must provide the funding to support equitable access at every LFPL location, expanding hours at Portland, Western, and Fairdale to be equivalent to hours at other locations.

$1,000,000 to invest in books and materials
The Louisville Free Public Library is the first and often only information access option for many in our community. A student needing a book for class, a nonprofit leader researching a grant proposal, a homebound patron reading the latest best-seller – all depend on library resources to meet their needs. As such, we must ensure that Louisville’s public library system can offer resources that meet the demands of our diverse community. With additional investment in collections, LFPL can offer a more current, balanced, and relevant collection that supports all our residents.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Community patronage helps libraries and citizens by encouraging engagement with library services, sharing information and resources, and helping secure much-needed funding. To assist, you can:

  • Participate by visiting a library, using services, and sharing with your friends and family all LFPL has to offer.
  • Advocate to your Louisville Metro Councilperson and tell them why public libraries matter to you and our community. Ask them to support this year’s public funding priorities.
  • Donate to the Library Foundation.

Don’t know your Councilperson? Find your district here.

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