Public libraries are walking a tightrope. They are a free service to all, but increasing funding cuts have some libraries turning to a wide variety of revenue-generation strategies to ensure financial security. Gift and coffee shops, meeting room rentals, classes, and more are being launched in hopes of filling funding gaps. In fact, in a recent…

Reports results of public library survey conducted by a Public Library Association committee that was established to study library investment practices and assess the need for establishing an investment management service. Revenue sources, investment patterns, benefits of pooling, and a proposed management service are highlighted. Six sources are…