If you have been wondering what is in Governor Corbett's 2012-13 PA budget proposal for public libraries, the wait is over. His proposal once again cuts funding to libraries in the commonwealth, this time by an additional 5%.
For FLCS, this means another $30,000+ chopped from our 2013 budget projection. If we had not gotten a massive cut of $250,000 per year 2 years ago, this would not be a major problem, but a cumulative loss of about 1/7 of our annual operating funds over a period of just 3 years is tragic. We have already cut and re-allocated funds and staff members to the point where many librarians our now doing 3 people's jobs.
While everyone knows money is tight everwhere, haven't we done our share of cutting already? Libraries are the only places where all people can better themselves in a bad economy. Please support the important work of libraries by advocating stable state funding to public libraries.
Thank you.
Showing posts with label public libraries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label public libraries. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Downloadable Books
This week, OverDrive e-book downloads join One-Click Digital audiobook downloads on our website.
Yes! A new format of the book debuts at Franklin County Library System and Fulton County Library.
Check out the variety of titles immediately available. More will be added on a monthly basis. You will notice they are available in as many as 3 different forms, Epub, Pdf, and Kindle. There are directions through the OverDrive link to help you register and download the format of your choice. These books are on loan from Franklin County Library System for FREE. The advent of the free library e-book download has come to our area.
We welcome your requests of titles at your local library or through my email address bdcrouse@fclspa.org. If you make the request at a local library desk make sure you indicate your format preference: e-book, e-audiobook; Epub, Pdf, or Kindle. Not all titles are readily available through library vendors in any or all formats, so please be patient with us as we build our collection.
We have not and are not abandoning the paper book. Many of our readers love to hold a traditional book in their hands. However, we are forced to remember that at one time literature was on stone or papyrus, so why not electronic devices, too? As always, we will continue to respond to your needs.
Yes! A new format of the book debuts at Franklin County Library System and Fulton County Library.
Check out the variety of titles immediately available. More will be added on a monthly basis. You will notice they are available in as many as 3 different forms, Epub, Pdf, and Kindle. There are directions through the OverDrive link to help you register and download the format of your choice. These books are on loan from Franklin County Library System for FREE. The advent of the free library e-book download has come to our area.
We welcome your requests of titles at your local library or through my email address bdcrouse@fclspa.org. If you make the request at a local library desk make sure you indicate your format preference: e-book, e-audiobook; Epub, Pdf, or Kindle. Not all titles are readily available through library vendors in any or all formats, so please be patient with us as we build our collection.
We have not and are not abandoning the paper book. Many of our readers love to hold a traditional book in their hands. However, we are forced to remember that at one time literature was on stone or papyrus, so why not electronic devices, too? As always, we will continue to respond to your needs.
Strategic Planning Progress
Our consultant from Tweed-Weber has led discussions of the wonderful survey input you provided with groups of staff and board leaders. The priorities for the next three years are developing out of the suggestions that you have made.
Thank you so much for your compliments to our staff and your overwhelming response that our libraries are important to you and your communities! We value your input and you as customers.
The winner of the Color Nook is being contacted, and we will make a public announcement very soon.
I will also update you when the plan is complete.
Thank you so much for your compliments to our staff and your overwhelming response that our libraries are important to you and your communities! We value your input and you as customers.
The winner of the Color Nook is being contacted, and we will make a public announcement very soon.
I will also update you when the plan is complete.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Help Us Plan for the Future
Over the next few months Franklin County Library System will be updating its strategic plan for the next three years (2012-2014). Our mission reflects our desire to bring the best in information and literacy resources, services and programs to you. We want to know what your dreams are and how we can help you reach them. We want to know what you value most in the community. We want to meet your needs as we change and grow through the years.
If you would like to be involved in the planning process, watch our updates here, on Facebook, and on our website to learn how you can shape the future of Franklin County public libraries.
Thank you.
If you would like to be involved in the planning process, watch our updates here, on Facebook, and on our website to learn how you can shape the future of Franklin County public libraries.
Thank you.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Weather Alert/Early Closing
All public libraries in Franklin County will be closing early today. After 3:00, please call your local library before venturing out to go there. It is possible that Coyle will remain open until 5:00, but call ahead to be sure. The next heavier surge of snow is due to hit Franklin County during the late afternoon. The libraries opened on time this morning, but plan to close at 3:00 to allow everyone safe travel home.
Hopefully, the libraries will be able to open at their normal times tomorrow, Thursday, January 27.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause you. Thank you.
Hopefully, the libraries will be able to open at their normal times tomorrow, Thursday, January 27.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this might cause you. Thank you.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Thank You!
I would like to personaly thank all the library supporters who marched in the Chambersburg parade with me on Saturday. It was great! People responded well to us, especially to the "Cat in the Hat" and the Kindly Canines. Every person was impotant, because we were able to spread out and greet the crowds. What a wonderful expression of support for public libraries!
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Senate Proposes Additional 9% Cut to PA Public Libraries
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.
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 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.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
State Budget Brings Sad News for Public Libraries
Today, I received the news that the 2008-2009 state budget includes only level funding for public libraries. In all fairness to the legislators, with the state of the economy, maybe it was too much to expect an increase this year. However, please remember that inflation is way beyond its normal mark this year. That means that all costs have increased significantly for our public libraries. Thanks to the increase granted by the County Commissioners last fall, we will be able to keep doors open and services rolling, I hope. The biggest question mark is about fuel and utility costs. They keep jumping!
Please remember your favorite library and give what you are able to annual and capital fund drives. Library services would suffer greatly without your generosity. Thanks to all who give money, time, and talents and to those who wrote to their legislators in support of public library funding. Without those letters and emails, we might have been one of the agencies to experience cuts.
Please remember your favorite library and give what you are able to annual and capital fund drives. Library services would suffer greatly without your generosity. Thanks to all who give money, time, and talents and to those who wrote to their legislators in support of public library funding. Without those letters and emails, we might have been one of the agencies to experience cuts.
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