Budgeting for Mean, Lean Times Part 1

1. I know I have an ethical obligation to submit a budget even if it has not been requested or the chances of it being fully funded are slim.

ALA Library Code of Ethics Statement I: We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

It is ethically irresponsible not to have a budget. Too often we confuse having a budget with having a fully funded budget. Every library needs to have a written, goal-oriented, specific proposed budget. If students are to have access to the resources necessary for an effective educational program, all school librarians must accurately inform decision-makers the cost of those resources. The greater outlays necessary for technology in schools, among other things, makes this more critical than ever.

As informational resources become available in both in print and digitally, we need to carefully appraise which format best suits curricular purposes and our budgets. Collection development strategies are more important than ever as our scarce resources need to be stretched to cover ever higher demands. Materials purchased “just in case” or for a “well-rounded collection” that remain untouched by human hands are not just unwisely, but unethically, acquired.

No matter how poor a district may be, odds are that it has at least one exemplary, well-funded program. Maybe it’s science, maybe it’s the debate team, or maybe it’s girls’ tennis. It may as well be the library/technology program. By following some good budgetary practices and a few backyard political strategies, it is not only possible but probable that a librarian can make his or her program the district’s shining star.

Good budgeting is your responsibility.
Building librarians play a increasingly large role in determining the funding for their programs as school districts move toward decentralization of administration. As funds are given to buildings, site teams will determine staffing and resources. District media supervisors, superintendents, and even principals will have less ability to support or protect programs.

A good budget can increase the effectiveness of your program even if the effort does not result in increased funds.
As much as I hate sounding like a conservative pundit, I have to say more money is not always the answer to better services to staff and students. A good budget requires planning, prioritizing, and accountability. When those things are done, better programming is the result - even without an increase in funds.

Comments

[Todd Wandio]

Dear Doug,
I wonder why I never seen blog content like dis on my phys ed department blogrole? My department has lots of money cause peeple like football, basketball, and hockey. Peeple dont like books too much. If you can't eat it or throw it, why fund it?

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Todd,

You can certainly throw books. Done it myself, but only on an inter-mural level, not professionally.

Doug

[Bob]

Doug,

I'm catching up after break. Looks like some good ideas here. I have a problem with:
"No matter how poor a district may be, odds are that it has at least one exemplary, well-funded program."
I'm trying to think of one such case at our high school, and can't come up with one. Our music program is exemplary, but it is "funded" by an energy-driven overworked music teacher who goes over and above expectations. But there is no funding for it. In fact, we have no auditorium: it is an open area with a stage that includes fold-up cafe tables as well as serving as a huge study hall. A good portion of the building is taken up with a ramp, since we have no elevator, to save money. They actually built this facility with no sprinklers to save money, until the new fire Marshall said the school was illegal. Yada, yada yada. When you have a community that doesn't adequately fund anything for the school (including the football team), what do you do then?

Good reading.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Bob,

I have to admit that my range of experience in education does not encompass every situation. Most of the schools I've worked in are funded at the average or slightly less than average level.

I be questioning why the community does NOT support the schools and what can be done about it.

Doug