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.

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.

Libraries Open Today

Dismayed by another school closing? Bring your family to the public library. Our libraries are currently open today, Friday, February 26.

Weather Closing Update

Coyle Free and Grove Family Libraries in Chambersburg will be open 1:00-5:00 p.m. today. St. Thomas and Fort Loudon branches will open at their normal times, but may close at sundown. Alexander Hamilton (Waynesboro), Lilian Besore (Greencastle), and Blue Ridge Summit will be closed all day today. The Bookmobile and Book Buggy are not in operation today. No overdue fines will be charged for books due February 9-11 if they are returned by Friday. The parking lots and at Coyle and Grove have been plowed and salted for your safety.

February 11, 2010 Afternoon Opening

Our staff is making every attempt to get in to open libraries by 1:00 p.m. today. The parking lots at Coyle and Grove will be plowed and salted by noon. However, please call ahead to make sure your local library is open, since local conditions vary and many staff members are snowed in at home.

There will be no overdue fines for today! Please stay safe!

Snowstorm Closing

Please do not attempt to come to Franklin County Library System facilities today, Saturday, February 6, 2010. All the libraries are closed for the duration of the storm. For your safety, do not try to use the bookdrops to return items due today. Fines for today will be forgiven. Return your books early next week, once the snow has been cleared.

Our first concern is your safety, so we hope you enjoy this time at home curled up with a good book. Our online services, including reserves and renewals, continue to be available throughout the snowstorm.

2010 Update

Thank you, one and all, for helping the library system meet its Annual Appeal goals for 2009. We cleared the $50.000 mark during the week before Christmas! On December 31 the 2009 Annual Appeal donations reached $50,705, $90 more than in 2008, even in this tough economy. Thank you very much for giving from the depth of your hearts. Truly Franklin County residents love their libraries!

While state funding has been cut to Franklin County public libraries, indeed to libraries all over the state, our vision for serving you continues to be foremost in our hearts and minds.

All of our full-service libraries have lost some staff, but we are developing in other ways. We are offering you more online databases and upgrading our website and library management system to make it easier for you to access the resources and information you need. Our libraries are incorporating music and movement into preschool storytimes through funding from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The program is locally coordinated by Lori Cooley, our new Book Buggy manager (717) 264-9863 ext. 202. We are working with Early Childhood partners to create the first Franklin County Infant/Toddler Learning Calendar. And wait until you see what's coming in 2010 as Chambersburg/Franklin County Reads!

Please bear with the interuption of some of our normal website services and the recent adjustments in library hours to make it possible for library staff members to be available to serve you. We are working harder than ever to give you the best service possible.