State-wide cuts to library funding while usage grows

[nickinSTL]

State funding to libraries has been cut state-wide - 16% for public libraries, 3% for school libraries, and 16.5% to library systems (which provide services to libraries across the state, often including managing their online catalogs).

Meanwhile, in a slow economy, library usage is up. People use the library for job-hunting as well as a source for books and DVDs as they are more reluctant to spend the money to buy.

Libraries are having to provide more service with less...

http://www.triblocal.com/Wheeling/Detail_View/view.html?type=stories&action=detail&sub_id=91969

[DollyM]

1. just pititul . . .

For some of us in small rural areas, libraries are the lifeline to everything. Our local library is so broke, they have been out of a printer cartridge for their copying machine for the last 4 months and say their is no money to buy one. I donated time, materials and programs to two or our local libraries because they had no money to offer a summer reading program for our kids. We live in a community that doesn't even have a swimming pool for the kids in the summer so having a decent summer reading program is essential. My husband and I have also been out of work for the last year so the $200.00 plus dollars and our time that we donated to the libraries was hard to come by but we felt our kids deserved to have good programs just like the bigger libraries in larger areas. (I went to a local church and ran coloring pages on their copying machine for the summer reading program. They did so at no charge.)

[nickinSTL]

2. if you're in Illinois, and they're a member of a library system...

you might suggest that they contact their library system for advice on ways to manage their small (and likely decreasing) budget.

If you want more info on that, pm me and I can let you know if they're a system member and if you like, give you contact information for them if you think they'd need it.

I can't guarantee the system could do much to help, but they are there to support our public libraries.

[barb162]

8. Are you locally taxed for the library?

Our library has had some cuts, but they're still doing pretty well.

[MidwestRick]

3. It's sad...

but until the state gains control of it's spending...cuts need to be made. For every program they cut there will always be people hurt. I don't see a tax increase being possible for anyone that is interested in remaining in office during this downturn in the economy. The politicians are in a tough spot right now.

Here's hoping things pick up soon.

[nickinSTL]

5. libraries are one of the worst things to close, IMO

you close libraries, and those who don't have internet at home lose that, those who are looking for jobs lose the resources libraries offer.

Libraries are needed most when there's an economic downturn.

The politicians need to fing grow up and do what needs to be done to fix the state. Period.

[barb162]

9. They have to raise taxes.

I don't see any way out of the mess.

[stevebreeze]

7. you may be correct in a political sense, but a tax cut on the wealthy

is exactly what is needed. If you could raise taxes on only the wealthy the public would support it, even thought the repubs and the corporate press would cry like babies.

the wealthy have (a) the ability to pay without significantly harming their lifestyle. They could pay more in taxes without lowering their consumption. (b) they have been given far more then their share of the breaks in the last 30 years (c) they are the ones mostly responsible for the irresponsible banking practices. They not only run the banks, they lobbied for the deregulation.

[nemo137]

4. Rockford is basically shuttering their libraries.

I couldn't believe it.

[nickinSTL]

6. Ask your state legislators to support libraries

http://www.saveillinoislibraries.com/

There is a letter to have state legislators pledge to not cut library funding further, and to restore full funding to libraries when the money is available.

A lot of library workers have sent the letter, but it means more from the public, IMO.

[Luciferous]

10. Thanks for the link... sent it to my reps