30 Ways in 30 Days: Libraries

Libraries Would Be Cut 50% at Time of Peak Citizen Demand

Access to local libraries and the availability of new books and reference tools would be reduced substantially because of a 50% cut in library funding in SB 850 from $75 million to $37 million.

HARRISBURG (June 4, 2009) – With a full-blown recession underway, demand for public library services are up significantly – at the same time that some legislators propose cutting state support from $75 million in 2008-09 to $37 million in 2009-10.

In a normal economy, public libraries serve millions of Pennsylvanians annually. When money gets tight, demand skyrockets for all their services - from access to best-selling novels to free programs and discussions to internet access for job seekers.

Senate Bill 850, which was approved in the state Senate last month, would cut the Commonwealth’s public library subsidy by more than 50%, meaning reduced services at local and branch libraries.  A zeroing out of what was a $7 million appropriation in an additional library support line in the budget would bring a halt to other programs like the Library Access line, statewide book borrowing capability, and interlibrary delivery.  The Electronic Library Catalog appropriation would be cut from $3.5 million to $1.8 million.

The state funding loss would be compounded by the fact that libraries used those dollars as “local match” for federal funds.

“Governor Rendell’s proposed budget of reducing library funding will cost Pennsylvania nearly a million dollars in lost federal money,” said Glenn R. Miller, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Library Association, in a statement on the association's web site. "Likewise, cuts to library services under SB 850 would cost Pennsylvania many more millions of dollars in lost federal funds.”

You can contact Glenn R. Miller, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Library Association, at 717-766-7663 or by email at glenn@palibraries.org.

Return to 30 Ways in 30 Days Service Cuts Will Hurt Pennsylvanians.