Save Libraries Photo Album
Feb 3rd
Check it here, library lovers. Want to contribute? Use the #savelibraries hashtag when you past your library-lovin’ photos to Twitter.
Recession gives N.J. libraries new mission
Dec 14th
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/recession_gives_nj_libraries_n.html
…this new mission is one many libraries and librarians recognize. It’s a rare day that I don’t get job help questions at the ref. desk.
Help! Action requested for LSTA reauthorization
Dec 1st
ALA has asked for calls to our Washington Senators asking for support of two pro-library items that just passed out of committee to the full Senate:
- Senate Bill 3984, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010. This reauthorizes the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of support for libraries and museums. (Funding is not tied to the vote; that will be addressed when the budget bills reach Congressional debate). The revisions in this bill are worthwhile for libraries.
- The nomination of Susan Hildreth to be the director of IMLS. Urge Senators to support Ms. Hildreth’s nomination in this lame duck session. She has served as California State Librarian and director of several large public libraries, and understands the issues we face nationally.
Please call (202) 224-3121 to voice your support, or use Capwiz to send an online message instead: http://capwiz.com/ala/home/
Public employees, take note: please take action on your own time, using your own resources.
Better News for Buffalo
Dec 1st
The Erie County Legislature snapped its logjam on a 2011 budget Tuesday by restoring $4 million in support for the busy library system and renewing grants for an array of arts groups that would have collected no county dollars next year under the county executive’s proposal.
In a surprise, the library allocation drew unanimous Legislature support as the six-member Republican bloc broke from County Executive Chris Collins.
Collins had wanted to drop the county’s contribution to the libraries to $18 million, from $22 million, next year. But amid a public backlash, the Republicans teamed with rarely united Democrats to deliver the full $22 million.
The would-be recipients, however, should not count on the money just yet. Collins, who never likes it when the Legislature messes with his budgets, vowed vetoes and other steps to nullify what lawmakers did.
“Absolutely there are going to be some vetoes,” he told reporters in his 16th-floor office Tuesday evening as county lawmakers went home. “Whether we veto everything or not will be something we will talk to our commissioners about.”
But he added: “Whatever I do, I will look at cutting the funding for the libraries last. I will cut the culturals before I cut funding to the libraries.”
Devastating News for Newark Library
Dec 1st
NEWARK — With millions of dollars in budget cuts slated for the Newark Public Library, one of the city’s most revered cultural institutions will face major reductions in staff and services, according to library officials. Report from NJ.com via Nancy Dowd.
Days after the city’s May elections, library leaders were informed they would lose at least $2.45 million in city funding, or nearly 18 percent of the library’s budget. The city typically funds about 90 percent of the library, with the rest coming from grants, donations and state aid. In response to the cuts, the library put together a spending plan that calls for 31 layoffs, salary freezes, branch closures, and two furlough days a week until the end of 2010.
“These were tremendously difficult decisions for the trustees,” library director Wilma Grey said in a statement. “We can no longer maintain all of our facilities and services.”
The Visibility & Invisibility of Librarians
Nov 24th
Jamie LaRue (who I am lucky enough to call “boss”) has a new article in LJ. Great read- how can we build $upport and funding if we linger in the background? How can we fulfill the promise of libraries if we hang back, and fail to connect with and join our community?
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