CIBER has released The Economic Downturn and Libraries: Survey Findings.
Here's an excerpt:
This survey, of 835 libraries worldwide, confirms what many had expected, that the short-term outlook for libraries in all sectors is a challenging one, given the slow down in the economy in many parts of the world. It is clear that most libraries are already feeling the pinch, with budget settlements for the current financial year that are either stand still (i.e. no increase in absolute terms) or actually smaller than last year. Fortunes are however mixed, and some libraries are faring much better than the doom and gloom merchants would have us think. But the reality for the vast majority looking forward into the next two financial years is that recessionary pressures really are going to make an impact.
