Library Events Calendar

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

LIBRARY BUDGET CRISIS

PLEASE HELP!!! AS OCCURRING IN SO MANY AREAS OF THE GOVERNMENT, LIBRARY FUNDING IS GOING TO BE CUT, UNLESS YOU CAN HELP. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAME FROM AN EMAIL I RECEIVED THAT IS BEING PASSED ON TO ALL LIBRARY DIRECTORS IN POLK COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE.

FLA Legislative Alert

Legislature will convene in Tallahassee January 5 to determine how to deal with a projected $2.3 billion mid-year revenue shortfall. They will be looking at changes to the current budget for the year ending June 30, 2009.

Background - In mid-December, House and Senate appropriations committees met in Tallahassee and began their deliberations by looking at options and on December 23rd, Governor Crist published his recommendations for how the state should respond.

The House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Committees, those with primary responsibility for the funding of library programs in the Department of State budget, discussed State Aid to Public Libraries cuts ranging from $2.8 to $3.9 million because they were looking primarily at cuts, not additional revenues. The Governor’s recommended State Aid cut is $1.06 million, or 4% of the current $26.7 appropriation, part of a 4% across the board hold-back implemented earlier in the year.

FLA is advising library advocates to support the Governor’s proposed reduction. Arguing against any reductions in these budget circumstances would not be reasonable. There will be cuts; our objective is to keep them as small as possible.

Action Needed - It is important for Florida library advocates to contact their legislators before the January 5 Special Session. It is especially important for those advocates represented by members of the House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Committees (below) to get the message to their legislators.

The Message - Support the Governor’s proposed $1.06 million reduction for State Aid to Public Libraries.


Sample Message for Legislators - The message below is provided to help library advocates communicate with their legislators. Remember, it is always good to “localize” your message and to provide real life stories about how issues affect your library and community.

And Above All – Keep It Positive! - Legislators are in a very, very difficult position. Our approach is to treat them with respect so that we build long term friends and champions!


Dear _____ (Representative, Senator, or Governor)

We understand the state is facing the worst budget challenges in modern times and we respect the fact that you will have to make difficult decisions and that no area will be exempt from cuts. We ask that you support the Governor’s proposed $1.06 million reduction to the State Aid to Public Libraries Program rather than the larger cuts of $2.8 and $3.9 proposed to the Senate and the House.

We ask that as you go about your deliberations, that you stay mindful of the benefits Floridians receive from Florida libraries – especially during difficult economic times like these.

§ Florida Libraries Help Residents Get Jobs! Libraries provide services and information to help people find job postings, prepare resumes, and submit online applications.

§ Florida Libraries Help Government Deliver Services! Libraries are the only provider of free Internet access in their communities and the place to go to access e-government services.

§ Florida Libraries Play a Critical Role in Kids’ Learning! – Libraries help young children learn to read and help parents and caregivers learn to be their children’s first teachers. Children and families benefit from homework assistance programs, tutoring, support for homeschoolers, and casual library experience. Teens benefit from a safe environment for reading, computers, games and a place to socialize with adult supervision.

Thank you for your consideration and for the leadership you are providing at this critical juncture. All Floridians need to work together so that we can get through these challenging times!

Sincerely,

Your Name


Thank You!

Lisa Manners,
FLA Legislative Committee Chair

and

Danny Hales
FLA Public Library Directors Group Chair


Key Committees for Library Appropriations

Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Committee
- In the House, library budget issues will originate in this committee
§ Rep. Rich Glorioso (r), Chair – Parts of Hillsborough & Pasco counties – glorioso.rich@myfloridahouse.gov / District (813) 757-9110/ Tallahassee (850) 488-0807
§ Rep. Greg Evers (r), Vice Chair – Represents parts of Escambia, Okaloosa, & Santa Rosa counties – evers.greg@myfloridahouse.gov / District (850) 983-5550 / Tallahassee (850) 488-8188
§ Rep. Joe Gibbons (d), Ranking Democratic Member – Represents part of Broward County – gibbons.joe@myfloridahouse.gov / District (954) 893-5006 / Tallahassee (850) 488-0145
§ Rep. Jennifer Carroll (r) – Represents parts of Clay & Duval counties – District / Tallahassee – carroll.jennifer@myfloridahouse.gov / District (904) 573-4994 / Tallahassee (850) 488-5102
§ Rep. Brad Drake (r) – Represents Holmes, Washington & parts of Jackson, Okaloosa, & Walton counties – drake.brad@myfloridahouse.gov / District (850) 892-8431 / Tallahassee (850) 488-4726
§ Rep. Audrey Gibson (d) – Represents part of Duval County – gibson.audrey@myfloridahouse.gov / District (904) 353-2180 / Tallahassee (850) 488-7417
§ Rep. Dorothy Hukill (r) – Represents part of Volusia County – hukill.dorothy@myfloridahouse.gov / District (386) 322-5111 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6653
§ Rep. Janet Long (d) – Represents part of Pinellas County – long.janet@myfloridahouse.gov / District (727) 545-6421 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6197
§ Rep. Lake Ray (r) – Represents part of Duval County – Tallahassee – ray.lake@myfloridahouse.gov / (850) 488-4388
§ Rep. Robert Schenck (r) – Represents parts of Pasco, Hernando, & Sumter counties – schenck.rob@myfloridahouse.gov / District (352) 688-5005 / Tallahassee (850) 488-6641

Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Committee
- In the Senate, library budget issues will originate in this committee

§ Senator Mike Fasano (r), Chairman – Represents parts of Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, & Pinellas counties / fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov / District (727) 848-5885 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5062
§ Senator Tony Hill (d), Vice-Chair – Represents parts of Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, & Volusia counties – hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov / District (904) 924-1646 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5024
§ Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (r) – Represents part of Miami-Dade County – portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov / District (305) 643-7200 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5109
§ Senator Paula Dockery (r) – Represents parts of Hernando, Lake, Osceola, Polk, & Sumter counties - dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov /District (863) 413-2900 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5040
§ Senator Andy Gardiner (r) – Represents parts of Orange, Osceola, & Seminole counties – gardiner.andy@flsenate.gov / District (407) 428-5800 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5047
§ Senator Chris Smith (d) – Represents parts of Broward & Palm Beach counties – smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov / District (561) 650-6801 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5112
§ Senator Ronda Storms (r) – Represents parts of Hillsborough, Pasco, & Polk counties – storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov / District (813) 651-2189 / Tallahassee (850) 487-5072

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, I know that this is not necessarily the appropriate place to ask this question, but thought maybe I could get an answer here. If I live in Lakeland, but went to Auburndale to check something out, can I return it in Lakeland? Or do I have to return in Auburndale? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

If the library is open Monday-Saturday until 5:00, 6:00 or 8 p.m. (per posted hours), why is it closed every time I pass by on my way home from work or when I make a special trip there on Saturday?

If the library is closed when most working TAXPAYERS can get to the library, why does the web site still show hours with the above times and why does the sign on the library doors indicate the same hours of operation? And why does the blog show the same hours?

If the hours have changed as the result of budget cuts, wouldn't it be a good idea to let TAXPAYERS know so we don't have to waste our limited resources making a special trip to the library on Saturday (when it's supposed to be open 9-5) only to find the library is closed just as it is every other day of the week when most working TAXPAYERS can use the services we pay for?

Librarylady said...

We are still open the regular hours. We are open Mon., Tues., Thurs., until 8:00 Wed., and Fri., until 6:00 and Sat. until 5:00.

We were closed July 27th through August 1st for inventory which we do every year. During that time, we clean the library, get new shelves, sift books, do any neccessary maintenance, and hand scan EVERY SINGLE ITEM in the library. If it has a barcode, it gets scanned. It is a week of very hard work. We still check the drop boxes, answer the phones, and allow people to pick up holds. There were two orange signs on the doors and signs on the counters stating that information for almost two weeks in advance.

The only other times we have been closed recently were for July 3rd and 4th in observance of Independence Day. The only reason it was two days is because City departments were closed the 3rd due to the fact that Independence day was on Saturday. We of course took the day with the City and did not work the actual holiday.

We were also closed one evening the week after Memorial Day because we had no power, could not see, and the bulding became very hot. We were authorized by City Hall to close early that night, around 5:00.

If you ever come by and we are closed when we should be open, please feel free to call the next day and find out why. I actually encourage you to call. I never want our patrons to feel like they are not recieving the customer service they deserve.