Save Your Library Services -- Contact your PA Representative Today
Today we have learned that the PA Senate passsed a state budget including another 9% cut in the public library subsidy (among other library funding cuts). Following the disproportionate cuts of 21% in last year's state budget, this is the straw that will break many of the library services and programs that you know and love. That would make the 2010-2011 cut about $61,000 on top of the almost $200,000 cut in state funds to Franklin County public libraries from 2009-2010, bring the total cut over a 2-year period to about $255,000. That is the value of 25 years of summer reading programs or more than 10 full-time staff members -- 350 per week, or approximately 175 hours of library operations, since we cannot open a library without 2 people on duty. Last year we cut about 35 hours of library operation per week across the county.
The irony is that while the Senate is voting to cut more money from public libraries they are also supporting large increases in "educational spending". Public libraries are an important part of the Department of Education, yet we continually get the crumbs that fall from the table of the rest of that Department.
Please contact your PA legistlators today, and let them know that this is unacceptable. Not only do public libraries serve as "everyone's college" for life, but they provide valuable information and literacy support to formal education in our schools and colleges. Indeed, library use continues to grow as the economy struggles. Urge your representatives to halt the disproportionate chopping of public library funding.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
How the Public Uses Library Computers to Help Get Jobs
Results from Gates Foundation National Study...
Seventy-seven million Americans age 14 or older---equivalent to one-third of our population---use public library computers or wireless networks, says a new study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation titled: Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access in U.S. Libraries. Of this group, 40% search for jobs and fill out applications, 37% research health issues for themselves or their families, and 42% find help with educational research or completing homework assignments.
Another key finding identifies low-income adults as more likely to rely on the public library as their sole access to computers and the Internet than any other group.
Unfortunately, access to public library services in Pennsylvania is shrinking due to budget cuts at the state and local level despite the fact that millions of constituents see libraries as essential tools to connect them to opportunity.For the 2010-2011 state budget, the Pennsylvania Library Association urges Governor Rendell, State Senators and State Representatives to restore access to much needed library services for their constituents. Take Action Now.
Seventy-seven million Americans age 14 or older---equivalent to one-third of our population---use public library computers or wireless networks, says a new study funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation titled: Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access in U.S. Libraries. Of this group, 40% search for jobs and fill out applications, 37% research health issues for themselves or their families, and 42% find help with educational research or completing homework assignments.
Another key finding identifies low-income adults as more likely to rely on the public library as their sole access to computers and the Internet than any other group.
Unfortunately, access to public library services in Pennsylvania is shrinking due to budget cuts at the state and local level despite the fact that millions of constituents see libraries as essential tools to connect them to opportunity.For the 2010-2011 state budget, the Pennsylvania Library Association urges Governor Rendell, State Senators and State Representatives to restore access to much needed library services for their constituents. Take Action Now.
House Tour
Many thanks to everyone that participated in the house tour yesterday, from the generous home-owners, to the wonderful volunteers and committee members, to our sponsors Wolf Furniture and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to those that purchased advertising, and to everyone who went on the tour and/or bought raffle tickets. By the time all is said and done, we will have cleared almost $7000 with the event.
Thank you, one and all!
Thank you, one and all!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Have Fun and Help, This Weekend
Tickets are still available for the Annual Chambersburg Library Home Tour this Sunday, June 27, from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Six awesome homes to tour, all for $20! Support your Chambersburg library and enjoy yourself at the same time! Tickets are at Coyle Free and Grove Family Libraries. Those libraries will be open during the tour and will probably have tickets to sell that day. However, when the ticket supply runs out, no more will be made, so get yours today to be sure.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Urgent Budget Message: No More Disproportionate Library Cuts!
Your public library needs your help today!
Additional information from Pennsylvania Library Association:
Many times, where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire. Today, there’s a lot of smoke in Harrisburg which may mean that the state budget fires (negotiations) are heating up.
The situation remains fluid. Public pressure—and lots of it—can still make a real difference. Legislators face two huge budget challenges: a revenue shortfall between $1.2 and $1.5 billion, and election-year constituencies opposed to any taxes. In the absence of new revenue, balancing the next budget through program cuts alone, poses a real danger to existing programs.
Tell legislators and the Governor that their constituents who depend on libraries have already done more than their fair share through deep cuts in the current budget—the four library line items already were cut this year by 73%, 51%, 21%, and 3% respectively.
Tell Harrisburg: No More Cuts to Libraries. Read the update and send the Governor and your legislators an email here: http://www.capwiz.com/ala/pa/issues/alert/?alertid=15111281
Or call their office using PaLA’s online Legislative Directory. You can browse for names from the alphabetical list or type in your zip code to find your State Senator and State Representative. After you locate them, click on the “contact” tab above their photo to find their phone numbers (and mailing addresses, too.) Search now.
Here’s what we know as of mid-day on Thursday.
Political posturing is less intense indicating that negotiations are substantive and progressing.
News reports and “capitol snooping around” indicate that negotiators are zeroing in on an overall budget figure in the range of $28 billion. This is more than the $27.5 billion in revenue expected next year, but quite a bit less than the $29 billion requested in Governor Rendell’s original budget (a draft budget that proposed 1% and 2% cuts for library line items.) Clearly, a $29 billion budget would require significant new taxes and fees to be passed by the legislature.
If the final budget is $28+ billion, this figure would include some new taxes, most likely on natural gas extraction, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.
No specific line items are available during this sensitive and fluid stage of negotiations. Given the worsening revenue picture that created a $1.2+ billion hole in the budget, the potential for more programs cuts—including libraries—remains real.
Now is a key moment to speak up and urge all your friends to do likewise. Tell Governor Rendell, your State Senator, and your State Representative this one simple message: No More Cuts to Libraries. Library line items already were cut this year by 73%, 51%, 21%, and 3% respectively. Tell them that cutting libraries again is unacceptable, especially during this recession when libraries are busier and more needed than ever. No More Cuts to Libraries.
And while you’re online, join PaLA’s Facebook page, “5.6 Million Pennsylvania Library Card Holders Can’t Be Wrong,” here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123050057708453. Please share the link and invite your friends, too.
Thank you for taking action TODAY and spreading the word to your friends and family. Stay tuned for further updates as we gather more information.
Additional information from Pennsylvania Library Association:
Many times, where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire. Today, there’s a lot of smoke in Harrisburg which may mean that the state budget fires (negotiations) are heating up.
The situation remains fluid. Public pressure—and lots of it—can still make a real difference. Legislators face two huge budget challenges: a revenue shortfall between $1.2 and $1.5 billion, and election-year constituencies opposed to any taxes. In the absence of new revenue, balancing the next budget through program cuts alone, poses a real danger to existing programs.
Tell legislators and the Governor that their constituents who depend on libraries have already done more than their fair share through deep cuts in the current budget—the four library line items already were cut this year by 73%, 51%, 21%, and 3% respectively.
Tell Harrisburg: No More Cuts to Libraries. Read the update and send the Governor and your legislators an email here: http://www.capwiz.com/ala/pa/issues/alert/?alertid=15111281
Or call their office using PaLA’s online Legislative Directory. You can browse for names from the alphabetical list or type in your zip code to find your State Senator and State Representative. After you locate them, click on the “contact” tab above their photo to find their phone numbers (and mailing addresses, too.) Search now.
Here’s what we know as of mid-day on Thursday.
Political posturing is less intense indicating that negotiations are substantive and progressing.
News reports and “capitol snooping around” indicate that negotiators are zeroing in on an overall budget figure in the range of $28 billion. This is more than the $27.5 billion in revenue expected next year, but quite a bit less than the $29 billion requested in Governor Rendell’s original budget (a draft budget that proposed 1% and 2% cuts for library line items.) Clearly, a $29 billion budget would require significant new taxes and fees to be passed by the legislature.
If the final budget is $28+ billion, this figure would include some new taxes, most likely on natural gas extraction, cigars, and smokeless tobacco.
No specific line items are available during this sensitive and fluid stage of negotiations. Given the worsening revenue picture that created a $1.2+ billion hole in the budget, the potential for more programs cuts—including libraries—remains real.
Now is a key moment to speak up and urge all your friends to do likewise. Tell Governor Rendell, your State Senator, and your State Representative this one simple message: No More Cuts to Libraries. Library line items already were cut this year by 73%, 51%, 21%, and 3% respectively. Tell them that cutting libraries again is unacceptable, especially during this recession when libraries are busier and more needed than ever. No More Cuts to Libraries.
And while you’re online, join PaLA’s Facebook page, “5.6 Million Pennsylvania Library Card Holders Can’t Be Wrong,” here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123050057708453. Please share the link and invite your friends, too.
Thank you for taking action TODAY and spreading the word to your friends and family. Stay tuned for further updates as we gather more information.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Urgent!! Franklin County Public Libraries Need Your Help!
Just in from Harrisburg (Pennsylvania Library Association)...
No More Cuts to Libraries; Speak Up Now!
The deadline to pass a state budget is just days away. The effects of the recession have created a hole in the state budget in the range of $1.2 billion. If we are to avoid a repeat of last year’s 101-day late budget, Governor Rendell and legislators must pass a new state budget by June 30, one that fills this revenue gap either through increased taxes and fees, or more cuts to state programs—or both.
Raising taxes and fees in an election year with the recession lingering is a tall order. This reality increases the chances that the next budget might be balanced primarily through budget cuts, a possibility that could threaten library funding once again. No specific library funding cuts have been mentioned but library supporters need to stay informed and engaged.
Now is a key moment to speak up and urge all your friends to do likewise. Tell Governor Rendell, your State Senator, and your State Representative this one simple message: No More Cuts to Libraries. Tell them that cutting libraries again is unacceptable, especially during this recession when libraries are busier and more needed than ever. Remind them that in this year’s state budget, the four library line items already were cut this year by 3%, 21%, 51%, and 73% respectively.
Send the Governor and your legislators an email here: http://www.capwiz.com/ala/pa/issues/alert/?alertid=15111281
Join PaLA’s facebook page, “5.6 Million Pennsylvania Library Card Holders Can’t Be Wrong,” here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123050057708453. Please share the link and invite your friends, too.
Here’s a chart detailing all library funding categories in the state budget: http://palibraries.org/associations/9291/files/State%20budg%20chart%20for%20website.pdf
Thank you for speaking out for libraries, and for spreading the word far and wide. Stay tuned for more updates as events change.
No More Cuts to Libraries; Speak Up Now!
The deadline to pass a state budget is just days away. The effects of the recession have created a hole in the state budget in the range of $1.2 billion. If we are to avoid a repeat of last year’s 101-day late budget, Governor Rendell and legislators must pass a new state budget by June 30, one that fills this revenue gap either through increased taxes and fees, or more cuts to state programs—or both.
Raising taxes and fees in an election year with the recession lingering is a tall order. This reality increases the chances that the next budget might be balanced primarily through budget cuts, a possibility that could threaten library funding once again. No specific library funding cuts have been mentioned but library supporters need to stay informed and engaged.
Now is a key moment to speak up and urge all your friends to do likewise. Tell Governor Rendell, your State Senator, and your State Representative this one simple message: No More Cuts to Libraries. Tell them that cutting libraries again is unacceptable, especially during this recession when libraries are busier and more needed than ever. Remind them that in this year’s state budget, the four library line items already were cut this year by 3%, 21%, 51%, and 73% respectively.
Send the Governor and your legislators an email here: http://www.capwiz.com/ala/pa/issues/alert/?alertid=15111281
Join PaLA’s facebook page, “5.6 Million Pennsylvania Library Card Holders Can’t Be Wrong,” here:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123050057708453. Please share the link and invite your friends, too.
Here’s a chart detailing all library funding categories in the state budget: http://palibraries.org/associations/9291/files/State%20budg%20chart%20for%20website.pdf
Thank you for speaking out for libraries, and for spreading the word far and wide. Stay tuned for more updates as events change.
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