Getting beyond the pain: understanding and dealing with declining library funding

Aims to investigate the suggestion that the library‐funding crisis is real and that it is far more serious if one looks at it as a national and international phenomenon.

Surveys recent library literature to ascertain the current health of library budgets. Specific examples are used.

The changed focus in funding libraries reflects a change in civic values and institutional approaches to funding. Rather than rely on past strategies that once worked, new initiatives need to be developed.

Suggests five ways in which libraries can position themselves for better funding support in light of current public values.