State Funding

I have been so busy creating tools to help library supporters advocate (see the main webpage) that I haven't spared time to talk to you on the blog. At Franklin County Library System, we need all hands on deck to convince state legislators that public libraries are MOST CRITICAL to the public during economic crisis.

While we do not expect to avoid cuts completely, we are asking on behalf of our customers that our cuts be equitable to other critical human services. There has been repeated talk from the Senate of cutting public libraries by 50%, like was done in 2003. That would have a crippling affect on your library services, reducing our overall budget by 20%.

Your voice counts! Please let it be heard in favor of strong funding for Pennsylvania public libraries.

One Book Author and Illustrator Visit McConnellsburg

Did you know that Florence and Wendell Minor, author and illustrator of If You Were a Penguin, visited McConnellsburg yesterday afternoon? Wendell shared his experiences growing up as an artist and illustrating books today.

Their visit was made possible through funding for the Pennsylvania "One Book, Every Young Child" program. Visit http://www.paonebook.org/ website today for more information about the program and activities connected with the featured book.

Chambersburg Spring House Tour

Get your tickets now, while supplies last. For just $20.00 you can tour 6 wonderful houses in the Chambersburg area. Last year, this event sold out at 600 participants. This year tickets are available until we hit that mark.

Our main sponsor is Wolf's Furniture. There is a wonderful raffle connected with the tour with many great prizes. You do not need to go on the tour to purchase your raffle tickets.

Franklin County Public Library Week

Next week, May 17-23, is Franklin County Public Library Week. County Commissioners took action Thursday to proclaim this a special week to celebrate our public libraries.

Fort Loudon is holding Cake Bingo on Wednesday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m. Play all games for a donation of $3.00. Last year this event had a fullhouse, Standing Room Only crowd.

Celebrate your support of libaries by advocating full and fair state funding for PA public libraries for state fiscal year 2009-2010.

The recent PA Senate budget proposal cuts public library subsidy by 50%, equaling about a potential loss in revenue to Franklin County's public libraries of more than $425,000 per year. This is about 1/5 of the libraries' operating budget! The last time we experienced such a state cut, the libraries lost staff members, hours of operation, and customers got many fewer new books and materials and experienced many delays in service. This would be terrible, when more people than ever are taking advantage of public library materials, services, and programs to improve their quality of life, their job skills, and educate their young children.

Take heart! You can make a difference. The budget is not final. Both Governor Rendell and the House of Representatives have a less radical approach to cutting library funding. But please contact your favorite PA politician today in support of fully funded public libraries. Contact information for our local legislators is available elsewhere on the http://www.fclspa.org/ website.

Thank you!

Early Learning Awards

Franklin County Library System earned two Pennsylvania Library Association Early Learning Awards in April. We celebrate this achievement, especially since it was our county's first time to receive the prestigious honor.

Amanda Flagle and Rose Trombetta accepted the award for their 2008 "One Book, Every Young Child" outreach programs with preschools in the area. Bernice Crouse and representatives of our Head Start partnership received the award for our joint program assisting librarians, teachers, caregivers, and parents with meeting the social and emotional needs of preschoolers. Components of this program include a website and blog for those interested in the topic -- blog at http://www.frwholechild.blogspot.com/ , website at http://www.freewebs.com/frwholechild . This has become one of our busiest blogs.

Our winners were photographed with Wendell and Florence Minor, illustrator and author of PA's 2009 One Book, Every Young Child selection, If You Were a Penguin.

Head Start representatives are Terri Monn, Jennifer Rodgers, and Kay Witmer, who designed the Whole Child project with Bernice Crouse at a summer 2008 Governor's Institute.

FCLS Spring Newsletter Available

Please check the library website or the desk at your local public library for the spring newsletter. It covers all the exciting things happening at libraries March through May.

Here's a few tidbits to tempt you...
Today is "Read Across America Day", Dr. Seuss's birthday!
We are participating in the ECECEP Children's Fair on March 28 at the Church of the Brethren
on South Fourth Street in Chambersburg
Kick-off of "One Book, Every Young Child" on April 1 in Harrisburg
Captain Coyle's Cook Off on April 17 at Coyle
Books 2 Eat Exhibit and Silent Auction at Grove Family Library on April 18
Friends of Grove Book and Bake Sale on May 8 & 9
Spring House Tour in and around Chambersburg on May 31
Great activities for youth and teens, including a video contest

Check out all the library events and information online on in a paper copy of the Lifelong Learning Almanac. If you would like to have it emailed or snail-mailed to you door, please contact dbigham@fclspa.org.

Libraries Busy During Recession

In 2008, the public libraries in Franklin County circulated almost 45,000 more items to patrons than they did in 2007. Wow! We have always heard that people flock to public libraries when times are tough, but now our own statistics prove it.

There have been some great local and national news items about how busy the libraries are today, CNN Headline News, local Channel 27, the Record Herald, and Herald Mail to name a few.

One thing is for sure, that the public library is a great place to learn new job skills, to discover great bargains, and to enrich and entertain your life. We are here to help you through thick and thin.

Come inside to find great programs for all ages and to find a wonderful book, magazine, CD, or video with which to curl up during the cold days yet to come. Keep visiting our webpages for a myriad of resources your can access from your home computer, and don't forget that with your library card number and a PIN, you can now renew and reserve materials from your own computer, as well.