Libraries for the Future Closes After 17 Years

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By Norman Oder -- School Library Journal, 03/19/2009

The economic downturn has claimed an influential nonprofit organization, Libraries for the Future (LFF), which is closing its doors after 17 years.

Teen participants in Libraries for the Future's "Reading America" program perform a traditional Colombian dance at Middle Country Public Library in New York.

“We have accomplished so many of our initial goals to re-establish the role of libraries at the center of our communities,” says LFF Executive Director Bruce Astrein in a news release. “There is more work to be done and it is unfortunate that the current economic climate has made it impossible for us to continue. That is especially true now, as we’ve been hearing from many libraries that the economic downtown has increased demand for library services just as it is squeezing library funding.”

LFF was created in 1992, during another time when libraries faced funding cuts. The organization, supported by an array of foundations and donors, aimed to both advocate for libraries nationally and to assist libraries with innovative programs and partnerships. Diantha Dow Schull, a member of LFF’s initial planning team, was LFF’s executive director until her retirement in December 2008.

“On behalf of our past and current national board and council members,” says Jeffrey S. Scherer, chair of the LFF Board of Directors (and a prominent library architect), “we want to express our sincere gratitude to the staff, consultants, and funders who have ensured that meaningful and important services and programs were delivered to the libraries of the United States."

LFF oversaw programs that have run in close to 400 libraries in 33 states, and most will continue to run, LFF says. For example

Cobleigh Library in rural Lyndonville VT helped pilot the 1997 national expansion of Family Place, a pioneering emergent-literacy program of Libraries for the Future.

, the Middle Country Public Library in New York will continue to oversee Family Place Libraries, a network of children’s librarians “who believe that literacy begins at birth, and that libraries can help build healthy communities by nourishing healthy families.”

LFF's "Fit for Life Program," which emphasizes fitness programs for teens and young children, includes extensive training for librarians and their community partners.

Most of LFF's programs are now self sustaining, and participants have completed their training, have extensive training materials, and are connected to one another through online forums.

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