Via OCLC Press release.

OCLC to get $5 million from the Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation ….

    to develop a public information campaign ….

    to help public library leaders ….

to heighten awareness of the needs of local libraries.

A couple of thoughts come to mind:

Well done Bill & Melinda, local libraries are important and should be supported in economically challenging times when their services are need more than ever.

Why OCLC?  My, no doubt naive, understanding of the US library structures would have thought that there were significantly more libraries, especially fitting in the category of ‘local library’, that were associated with ALA than membership of OCLC.

Although very quick in getting things organised terms, the piloting of a campaign “in select areas of Georgia and Iowa starting in the summer” followed by “making available community awareness campaign materials and other guides to assist library leaders throughout the country in their efforts to strengthen support for local libraries” – later in the year – may feel a bit late by many libraries predicted to experience “deep state and local funding cuts in 2009”

Still, this is a very important and welcome announcement for all in support of libraries not only in the USA but everywhere.  It is promoting a message that should be echoed globally.  Public Libraries and the services they offer are of incredible importance to the public in challenging economic  times.  Their funding and support should be increased not squeezed as a recession bites.