Links for April 2nd from 10:26 to 16:06

These are pro-library, library news, and library advocacy links for April 2nd from 10:26 to 16:06:

• A Nation Without School Librarians – Google Maps – This map marks the cities, towns, communities, and states that have made the decision to either eliminate certified school library positions (indicated in blue) or require one school librarian to work with two (2) or more school library programs throughout the week (indicated in red).
• NJASL Testimony on Proposed School Budget Cuts Affect on School Libraries | mycentraljersey.com | MyCentralJersey.com – The New Jersey Association of School Librarians recognizes that the state faces a monumental budget crisis this year, and the Legislature and Governor have to make extremely difficult decisions about how to address the current shortfall. “School libraries are cost effective. Every resource in a school library that includes books, media, computers, and other learning tools is available to every student and teacher in the school. Proposed cuts to the State Library budget will have a direct negative impact on all public, academic and school libraries if approved.” Massey explains.
• New Jersey Library Association / Save New Jersey Libraries – Gov. Christie's budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services. This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services. This will affect all types of libraries in New Jersey. Once state funding is eliminated, NJ will lose $4.5 million in federal funding. What does this mean to NJ residents? Once state and federal funding are lost the impact will be felt by all residents:
• More Info – Nationally acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson visited Mexico High School's Pierce Library on Tuesday (March 30) speaking to more than 50 students about her life leading up to becoming an author and her work since.

  The author of seven novels, Anderson's main message to the gathered sophomores and juniors was about the importance of libraries.

  Click the video icon to watch the story.

• How Libraries Stack Up: 2010 [OCLC - Reports] – This new report examines the economic, social and cultural impact of libraries in the United States. As the current economic environment is impacting library budgets and library usage is increasing, particular attention is paid to the role that libraries play in providing assistance to job-seekers and support for small businesses. Information includes statistics on…
• PRINCETON: Libraries chafed by Christie cuts – For example, many people are using library computers to run their self-employed businesses, she said. While it’s not the library’s job to provide that access, it’s better than that person sitting at home and collecting welfare, she said.

     ”What the folks up on high don’t realize is how many people are struggling now,” she said. “Libraries are part of the safety net.”

     Ms. Burger said there needs to be more dialogue about not only the proposed library funding cut, but also those to schools and municipalities that are included in the proposed budget.

     ”There hasn’t been any dialogue,” she said. “I think that’s a missing link that doesn’t lead to rationale decision making in a civil society.”