April 8-14 is National Library Week and Franklin County Public Library Week. Thank you for supporting your local library! In a time of economic struggles, people are using our local libraries and online library services more than ever. Our number of library visits is way up, and our computer use inhouse and out has jumped. Summer reading program participation also increased in 2011.
Please watch for your annual appeal letter in the mail later this month, and support your Franklin County public library generously this year. In this time, when library customers seek broader diversity in the format of their literature and information, Pennsylvania government is looking to cut their public library subsidy by an additional 5%, which would bring the total annual cut to Franklin County library services very close to $300,000. Franklin County Library System has already tightened its belt by $250,000 a year to avoid spending funds we simply don't have. We work hard to use every dollar wisely. Please use this National Library Week, County Public Library Week, and the month of April as a whole to support your love of libraries by acting as an advocate for state library subsidy maintenance and giving what you can to fill the current gaps.
Thank you, the residents of Franklin County, for helping us to help you! Happy Library Week!
Showing posts with label state budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label state budget. Show all posts
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Governor's Budget Proposal Cuts Libraries, Again
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
State Funding Action Urgently Needed
Please show your support of the level of "Public Library Subsidy" in the governor's budget proposal by contacting your local legislators and members of the PA Appropriations' Committee today. We need to maintain the status quo in funding until increases can be made to restore your library's normal hours of operation and provide adequate staff to meet your library service needs.
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.
Friday, June 25, 2010
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.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
State Budget for Libraries
Still no news on the PA public library subsidy! We did meet with local officials, donors, and advocates last Friday morning for breakfast at Grove Family Library. We were delighted with the turnout! Breakfast was sponsored by Panera Bread of Chambersburg.
Fifty people turned out to hear my state of the library message, tour the library or Book Buggy, and listen to Representative Kauffman read Our Library by Eve Bunting to a group of storytime preschoolers.
To advocate for your library, use the contact information on our main webpage. Thank you.
Friday, January 16, 2009
What's Old and New With Library Funding?
The good news is that through your support, the foresight of our County Commissioners, and a lot of dedicated work by our library staff, you will not see any real cuts in library service until at least July. Pennsylvania did cut our January State Aid payment by 0.8% (about $6500), but that will not have significant ramifications, thanks to the 2008 0.2 mill increase in county libary tax.
However, it is the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania budget that most concerns us. With the economy continuing to slump, we may expect more cuts in state funding to public libraries by July. How much, we have no idea at this point. We are already receiving information about contacting our state and federal officials to let them know how important public libraries are to people in economic distress. A reporter from the Hagerstown Herald Mail is currently working on a feature article on that subject. Please stay tuned to our website for ways you can help your library survive the crunch.
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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