MEMBER LIBRARY WEEKLY BULLETIN

No. 03-08                                                                                                                                           February 21, 2003

Pataki’s Budget Plan a Threat to Libraries

FYI -- this appeared on the front page of the Albany Times Union newspaper [Thursday] morning.  You may want to use it in your advocacy efforts.

Susan Keitel, Executive Director, New York Library Association
***

Pataki's budget plan a threat to libraries

Albany -- Services, hours likely would be reduced by a $13.3 million cut

By ELIZABETH BENJAMIN, Capitol bureau

First published: Thursday, February 20, 2003

Gov. George Pataki's proposed 8.5 percent budget cut to public education spurred loud and widespread opposition from lawmakers, schools, parents and local governments.

But barely a word has been said about the governor's decision to offer $13.3 million less for libraries -- an almost 15 percent cut. Librarians predict a reduction in services statewide, from a slimmer book selection to shorter hours of operation, if the state Legislature doesn't restore their funding.

"The total funding we would receive is one-tenth of one percent of the state budget -- one tenth of a penny, that's all the state is willing to spend on libraries," said Susan Lehman Keitel, executive director of the New York Library Association.

Keitel pointed out that libraries have not received any sustained increases in state aid since 1998.

Adding insult to injury, librarians say, is that the $75.6 million Pataki allocated for them in his 2003-04 budget is roughly the same funding they received in 1993. But in 1993, libraries didn't provide access to the Internet or to electronic databases -- two of the most popular attractions at most branches, and also among the most expensive services to offer.

Librarians say the cuts will disproportionately affect people in low-income neighborhoods, who can't afford to replace the free services they get at libraries and residents in rural communities, who don't have alternatives available to them.

They also point out that libraries have evolved from silent repositories of knowledge to lively and vital information centers where patrons are just as likely to attend a dance class or surf the Internet as they are to check out a book.

"We're far more than books," said Philip Ritter, executive director of the Upper Hudson Library System, which serves Albany and Rensselaer counties. "But I think people have taken us for granted for so long, like a lot of other services they receive. They think we've always been here and always will be, until we're gone. Then they'll say, 'Goodness, we wanted you to cut something, but not that.' "

Almost all of the $13.3 million cut proposed by Pataki would be borne by the state's more than 70 library systems, which serve as umbrella organizations that provide services to local libraries. Libraries themselves receive very little direct state aid and are generally funded either by taxes that residents vote to impose on themselves or through municipalities.

Public library systems in New York serve 741 libraries. There are also research library systems and school library systems.

A library system typically runs a shared computer network for its member libraries, provides inter-library delivery of items patrons request that aren't located at their home library and offers consultant services for libraries that lack specially trained staff.

"We're like the libraries' utility," said Mary Lou Caskey, director of the Mid-York Library System, which serves Madison, Oneida and Herkimer counties. "We do the background things, the kind of things that you don't miss until they're gone."

But library system directors said they're certain that the service reductions they will have to make as a result of Pataki's budget -- if approved as is -- will have a trickle-down effect, forcing their member libraries to cut back in a way patrons are certain to notice.

"Ultimately, you will see hours of operation shortened, fewer new books and less staff to help you," Caskey predicted.

Pataki's proposed cut to libraries comes at a time when library usage has increased 20 percent since Sept. 11, 2001, according to State Librarian Janet Welch. She and other librarians attributed that surge in part to the human tendency to seek safe, familiar places in times of stress and fear as well as their desire for more information in a world that is increasingly difficult to understand.

In addition, troubled economic times historically have been busy for libraries, Welch said.

In 1990, the state agreed to provide a $5 million increase in library aid every year for three years, but it took until 1998 for the money to actually be included in the budget, Keitel said.

In 2001, state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, and state Assemblywoman Naomi Matusow, a Westchester County Democrat, sponsored legislation that would have given a $95 million boost to New York's public and school libraries. The bill has not been successful to date, and it is unclear whether it will be re-introduced this year.

Librarians and their supporters are acutely aware of the state's fiscal crisis and the need for near-universal belt-tightening at a time when New York is facing a record $11.5 billion budget deficit. Nevertheless, Keitel said, she would like to see the entire $13.3 million restored to libraries, adding that they've weathered more than their fair share of cuts and zero-percent budgets in the past.

"We want it all back," she said, "because we haven't received anything since 1998 and we think we're deserving."

2003 Great New York ReadAloud

“Good Books are Good Friends – Find Them at Your Library” is the theme for this year’s Great New York ReadAloud. Please consider inviting trustees, local celebrities, parents, business people, public officials and educators to read aloud in the library this April. I have three posters up for grabs ~ one in English, one in Spanish, and one in Chinese. First come, first serve – just e-mail me (dianam@flls.org)! For ideas and more information, please visit: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/readaloud/racover.htm.

Parent Child Grants

I have applications for the 2003-2004 Parent and Child Library Services Grant Program. (You should also be receiving them from the State). Is there something you’ve been wanting to do in your community, but haven’t had the resources? Applications are due to Finger Lakes by April 21, 2003.

Hi all!  I'm back at work, not entirely full steam, but at least I'm back!  Just so you know, the best time to reach me at work is in the morning before 1:15pm.  After that, e-mail is the best way to contact me.  I have been working from home in the afternoon and can get my e-mail from there. I will let you know when this schedule changes.

Annual Reports

Well…many of you have submitted (14) -- congratulations to those who have!  Please keep in mind that we may have questions in the future for you, as we have not had a chance to check over your report thoroughly yet.

To those who have not yet submitted -- keep plugging  away, and don't hesitate to contact your person with questions you may have.

A note about the Annual Report site:  Some people have found that they are unable to get to the next page or go back when working on the report - myself included.  Eric took a look at the error message I got and felt it was the site.  The site people say the site is fine, which leads me to believe it is simply the volume of people logged on trying to finish their report.  Be patient, and either logout and wait about 10 minutes and go in again, or sometimes just leaving it alone is enough for it to correct itself.

The FALCON (Dynix Users Group) Organization met on Thursday morning and voted to change the description of the "Lost" status to "Lost by Patron".  This change will be put in place immediately.  The minutes for this meeting will be produced and distributed by next Thursday.

Dynix New User and Advanced User training will be offered in 2003.  The date for the New User training will be 8/4/2003 and 11/3/2003.  The dates for the Advanced User are 5/5/2003 and 9/8/2003.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be establishing a schedule and locations for Regional Training covering Holdings Maintenance, PCReliance and Reports.

Be on the lookout for a copy of the Empire Friends Newsletter in delivery. Please make additional copies, if needed!

 

FLLS HOME

2003 Bulletin Archive, 2002 Bulletin Archive, 2001 Bulletin Archive, 2000 Bulletin Archive

Last updated 05/07/2004