The cataloging department insists that an unreasonable number of books be replaced. The children’s department needs more money for summer reading programs. The maintenance director claims the HVAC system will not survive another year. What to do? Library directors today must create and maintain an intricate and continually challenging budget.
Compiled from firsthand experience, this easy-to-read guide contains a plethora of information regarding the financial management of libraries. Beginning with creating an operating budget, the work discusses various revenue sources which may be useful.
The reader is also walked through the intricacies of the purchasing process, from day-to-day supplies and books to major projects. Additional topics include building library facilities, the practical side of auditing, strategies for dealing with a limited budget, and dealing with budget cut requests. Appendices contain information on coding a line item budget and a copy of a library district gift policy. A must-read for any up-and-coming library administrator!
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Anne M. Turner, director of the Santa Cruz City-County Library System, lives in San Francisco, California.

Anne M. Turner
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 191
Bibliographic Info: tables, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2007
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3052-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1154-9
Imprint: McFarland

Introduction      9

1. Developing a Budget: Infinite Wants, Finite Resources      13

2. Revenue Sources: Shaking the Money Tree      32

3. Procurement, a.k.a. Buying Stuff      49

4. Bidding Major Projects: The Woody Memorial Library Recarpets      66

5. Contracting Out      88

6. Brick by Brick, My Citizens, Brick by Brick      99

7. Audits: GAAS, GASB, GAGAS, and the Yellow Book      110

8. Cutting the Budget: Please, Sir, I Want Some More      126

9. Who Are Those Guys? The People Who Work in Finance Departments and What They Do      136

10. Concepts and Definitions: A Compendium      146

Afterword: Turning the Other Cheek      159

Appendix I: Coding a Line-Item Budget      161

Appendix II: Excerpts from the Bid Document for Janitorial Services for the Woody Memorial Library      164

Appendix III: Palos Verdes Library District Gift Policy      174

Appendix IV: Benefactor Recognition in Santa Cruz City-County Library Facilities      177

Chapter Notes      183

Bibliography      187

Index      189

“helpful in decoding the budget process. Recommended”—Library Journal.