Posts tagged savelibraries
Save The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
Nov 15th
From Save the BECPL Facebook campaign:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001743521599
BECPL Fast Facts
* SITUATION: The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library faces a $6.8 million shortfall for 2011 if the budget proposed by County Executive Chris Collins stands. Library hours will be reduced from 332 to 205.
* COST: Buffalo/Erie County library services cost $28.64 per capita while comparably sized cities pay $43 and up per capita.
* VALUE: If you take out just 2 books and 10 movies a month, that is $74 value in a month and close to $900 value in one year.
* INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF LIBRARIES: In tough economic times, especially with high unemployment, people need libraries.
o Circulation of library materials continues to trend at over 6 million items per year.
o People depend so much on the libraries’ Internet connection that many people drive closed libraries, sit in their cars and connect on laptops through the libraries’ wifi.
o Bookstores and high speed Internet are not available in some of the small communities B&ECPL serves so these residents rely on the reading material and high-speed Internet that their local libraries provide.
o Economically challenged households in Buffalo and across Erie County can’t support the purchase of books, CDs or DVDs, let alone have a computer with Internet access.
* LIBRARY USE INCREASE: Computer usage in Buffalo & Erie County Libraries has always been high but it has increased 25% since 2008—the beginning of the economic downturn.
QUALITY OF LIFE: Libraries contribute to the community’s quality of life economically, equal access to information resources; children’s introductions to libraries; the future role of libraries; the impact of physical development on the sense of community; life skills, including accountability and responsibility; and career paths
**There’s also an online petition and blog at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savebecpl/**
Pending Library Cuts in Cattaraugus County, NY
Nov 15th
Excerpted from the Olean Public Library Blog:
Cattaraugus County Administrator Jack Searles released a budget last week that includes 20% cuts across the board for all contract agencies. For your local library, this could be devastating.
$17, 105 in county aid would be lost to the libraries in Cattaraugus County. However, this is not the only cut that would occur. This cut would be more than 5% of the library’s local funding, which would result in a loss of 25% of State Aid. In total, this would mean a loss of approximately $270,000.
In the past two years, State Aid to the library system has already been cut by $250,000. The current amount of County funding has been the same since 2005. One of the consequences of these cuts was the elimination of the bookmobile. As a result of the current proposal several programs could be cut including weekly delivery of books requested from other libraries, the interlibrary loan service that allows patron to access books outside of the CCLS system, and service to the County’s nine nursing homes and senior centers.
Economic times are difficult, but in times like these more and more people are turning to the public library for help. People visit the library each day to fill out job applications, look for potential employment, update their skills, and more. The library lends out books, DVDs, and video games which saves people money. Is this the time to cut funding, when the library’s services are in high demand?
What you can do to help:
- Call or write your legislator and ask him or her to restore library funding. (The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the District 10 Legislators appears at the bottom of this page as well as a link to information on the other Cattaraugus County legislators.)
- Sign the petition available at the library.
- Attend the Legislature’s public hearing on the budget on Tuesday, November 23rd at 3pm in the Legislature’s Chambers (Cattaraugus County Center, 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY).
- Sign up to speak at the budget hearing on the 23rd.
- Pass this information on to your friends and family. The library could use the support.
The library can’t do this without your help! Thank you for all you have done over the years for the library and all that you continue to do.
**Thanks to Carol Kowalik for sharing this information.**
The We Will Not Be Shushed Rally Challenge
Jun 21st
Reposted from http://savenyclibraries.org/2010/06/20/the-we-will-not-be-shushed-rally-challenge/
(This is a great idea for libraries as a whole… let it serve as inspiration for own local efforts! -TV)
“We are now in the home stretch! We know that you are tired. You have been out every day getting postcards signed, wearing your pink slip pins, talking to the media, staying out all hours of the night reading into the open air, calling 311, and more. We know that you have been sweating it, and so do others. People are starting to notice, so let’s keep the pressure on and push through to the end! The effort is justified – our livelihoods are at stake.
Our newest plan of attack? The Rally Challenge! We challenge everyone everywhere to empower themselves and hold their own library rally. We have posted a Rally Kit below with tools and checklists that will give you guidance and suggestions. Don’t feel intimidated! It doesn’t have to be huge. If one person stops and asks what’s going on, that is a success! If ten people stop, then you have scored a victory and made an impact in the community that you serve.
We’ve only got 10 days left, let’s do it up!
Here’s your own personal “Rally in a Box”
To make it super easy for you, we even made a flyer, just add your rally info where it says “rally info here”
Don’t forget to add your rally to the Save the Libraries Google Calendar so we can all come out!”
Libraries are People
Jun 10th
Charlotte’s media folks have latched onto the plights of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system and continue to offer compelling stories to their audiences. Creating Loafing recently highlighted one of our staff, Sam Shapiro, and his film series that will be eliminated due to budget cuts. Programs and classes make our system outstanding and it’s the people behind these efforts that make everything happen. Check out the story and see if you can use a similar theme with your media contacts. 
Libraries are more than buildings and books, much more. Libraries are the people inside these buildings; they make it all possible.
Check out Sam’s story here: What budget cuts mean for library programs.
Links for April 2nd from 10:26 to 16:06
Apr 2nd
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.”
Links for April 2nd from 01:13 to 01:41
Apr 2nd
These are pro-library, library news, and library advocacy links for April 2nd from 01:13 to 01:41:
- Public Libraries: An Indispensable ‘Nonessential’ | TheLedger.com – The Legislature is desperate to find places to cut, and it is looking at so-called nonessential services. But for many library users, the library is essential, it is the only place many can access computers and the Internet, necessary to seeking a job in today's marketplace. Moreover, it is a positive public service that is seeing steadily increasing use, even as budgets keep shrinking.
These are desperate times, and some cuts to the State Aid to Libraries program might be unavoidable. But it is evident that taxpayers are getting more bang for their buck than ever with libraries – use is way up even as budgets are way down – and that should resonate with our lawmakers in Tallahassee.
- Melanie Hollis: Public libraries a great resource for children || OnlineAthens.com – As parents, we want our children to be successful in life, and few things will lead to that success better than reading. For us, the most amazing resource at our community library, other than the books and information contained within, is our beloved librarian.
The librarian is one of the greatest sources of inspiration and motivation to schoolchildren, going to schools and reading books specific to the age group and event. He or she has the amazing gift to make the stories she reads come alive. The students become engaged and transformed.
- One-Third of U.S. Population Uses Public Library Internet; Social Networking, Education Most Popular » Spotlight – “There is no ambiguity in these numbers,” said Marsha Semmel, acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “Millions of people see libraries as an essential tool to connect them to information, knowledge, and opportunities. Policy makers must fully recognize and support the role libraries are playing in workforce development, education, health and wellness, and the delivery of government services.”
From the executive summary (PDF):
Librarians enhance the computing and Internet experience. The availability of the Internet at the library coupled with the vast number of online transactions has expanded the librarian’s job and mission, creating a new set of opportunities and service challenges. Librarians have begun serving as informal job coaches, college counselors, test monitors, and technology trainers for the growing number of patrons navigating government aid, the job market, and all levels of education on library computers.
- How the library is helping people find work | FOX 21 Online – DULUTH – For those on the unemployment line, libraries are becoming an increasingly important resource. For many, it's their only access to the internet where so many tools to re–employment are available.
Tyrone Borno is out of work. Many in his situation would just hop on the home computer to see who's hiring.
"No, I can't. I have to utilize the library," he says. - Imaginary People: Chicago Public Library Powers Business – Working with limited finances, the Chicago Public Library was invaluable to us in figuring out what type of business we should register as and how to go about doing so. We were also able to research the way we should be handling our taxes. At one point we ran into some trademark and copyrighting issues and the resources at the Library came in very handy. When you don’t have the funds to have a lawyer at your disposal the Library becomes your other business partner.
Save Libraries Photos
Mar 25th
Heather Braum and I are working diligently to get Save Libraries up and running. We’ve added a photo page pulling in all the Flickr photos tagged “savelibraries.”
Take a look at the images, let us know what you think, and volunteer to help the cause by tagging related photos with “savelibraries.”
It Takes a Village to Save a Library
Mar 22nd
I sat at the Library Board of Trustees Meeting last Thursday and watched County Manager Harry Jones talk about the grim reality facing Mecklenburg County–a $13.2 million in immediate budget cuts across all departments before June 30th and an estimated $85 million shortfall for fiscal year 2010-2011 which begins July 1. You can view Jones’ presentation to the Library Board here: http://bit.ly/dgAZ7U.
After Jones’ presentation Library Director Charles Brown made his recommendation to close 12 libraries and layoff 148 staff members.
As you can imagine library staff were anxiously awaiting the news back at their branches or at home or from wherever they were connected.
I’ve been with the Library for nearly 11-years now and it is fascinating to see the role social media has played in these events. When we faced budget cuts in previous years it took days to get the news. Now with the advent of social media the news was transmitted instantly through Twitter feeds, Facebook, instant messaging, text messaging, and probably through other means that I’m not even aware of.
One former staff member tweeted that his heart was broken over the news.
But out of the meeting came a glimmer of hope when community members and the Library Friends group spoke up and said we can make a difference, we can do this. The tone in the room changed instantly from despair to hope. Before the meeting adjourned a library staff member back at her desk had created the event on Facebook $2 million in one week which aims to raise enough money to keep the 12 libraries open until July.
Since then the Library has raised more than $70,000 in online donations alone! Cash donations collected at libraries will be tallied on Monday.
This weekend saw grassroots efforts sprouting up all over Mecklenburg County with everything from a town-hall meeting to children selling lemonade to support the library.
Lemonade for the Library by Ed McDonald
Not only is the community rallying but staff members are rallying as well. Look for the next post which will show how you can help support the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
One Week – $2 Million Dollars: A Call to Action!
Mar 18th
I’m sure you’ve heard the news:
On Thursday, March 18, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustees approved a plan to lay off 148 employees and close 12 library branches in order to absorb a $2 million reduction in funding from Mecklenburg County.
The branches that will close under the plan are:
- Beatties Ford Road
- Belmont Center
- Carmel
- Checkit Outlet
- Cornelius
- Hickory Grove
- Independence Regional
- Mint Hill
- Morrison Regional
- Myers Park
- Scaleybark
- Sugar Creek
It will take approximately two weeks to complete the closings, with the selected branches closing their doors at the end of the business day on Saturday, April 3.
Director Charles Brown make the recommendation to the Board his voice full of emotion. Brown said this was the lowest point in his 40-year career in libraries. It was a solemn moment as the room fell silent.
After the recommendation from Brown and discussion among the Board, members of the community were invited to speak.
Dr. Susan Harden spoke passionately as an avid library user and former staff member, “Research is clear that societies are advanced by citizens having access to public libraries and the materials in them and the technologies in them.”
Bill Brawley, a library user from the Matthews community, vehemently said, “All of the wisdom of man is in books and you can get them in the library for free. Why would you not support a library?”
Harriet Smith from the Friends of the Library challenged the community to both volunteer in our libraries and to help raise the money to save our libraries.
You can see a 2-minute video with highlights from the meeting here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/420/index.html?media_id=11731321. If you’ve ever wondered why libraries are so important to the community, watch the clip!
As Dr. Harden, Brawley, and Smith spoke the energy in the room changed and a call to action became clear. We need a grassroots effort to raise $2 million dollars to save our libraries and we need it fast.
Staff immediately mobilized. Before the meeting was over one staff member who had been watching events unfold via Twitter created the Facebook Event $2 million in one week.
How can you help?
Donate now: www.cmlibrary.org/DonateNow
Contributions received by March 31, 2010, will help lessen the severity of immediate library service reductions, and even after March 31 all contributions will continue to help us provide the best possible library services to the more than 17,000 adults and children we serve each day.
Advocate:
Share this link with your friends and neighbors. www.cmlibrary.org/DonateNow.
The Library receives more than 90% of its funding from Mecklenburg County. Let your elected officials know what libraries mean to you. You can contact any and all of the Mecklenburg County Commissioners here: http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/BOCC/Meet+The+Board/home.htm
I’m calling on you to donate if you can. If you can’t donate, please help advocate for us. My heart aches for the community who will lose access to the tremendous amount of free resources and programs the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has to offer. Unemployment is more than 11% in Mecklenburg County. The community needs us more than ever.
This quote from my long-time hero Carl Sagan eloquently sums up my thoughts:
The library connects us with the insight and knowledge, painfully extracted from Nature, of the greatest minds that ever were, with the best teachers, drawn from the entire planet and from all our history, to instruct us without tiring, and to inspire us to make our own contribution to the collective knowledge of the human species. I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries. ~Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Are you willing to support your library?
To stay up-to-date on our budget situation sign up for updates from the budget info page: http://plcmc.org/about_us/librarybudgetinfo.asp and follow @cmlibrary on Twitter.
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