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April 15, 2010

Letter to the Editor

northjersey.com
April 3, 2010

Librarians are fighting not for their jobs, not for their benefits, not for their pensions but for the residents of New Jersey. Library services are in jeopardy as a result of Governor Christie's proposed budget. Our governor and legislators encourage resource sharing but are not able to recognize the successful resource sharing that has been under way in Bergen County for 30 years.

Seventy-five libraries (some outside of Bergen) are members of the Bergen County Cooperative Library system, which was created by librarians, not by politicians. One library card earns residents full service at any of these 75 libraries: books, music CDs, audio books, large print materials, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, Internet access, cultural and educational programs for all ages, computer instruction, ESL, basic literacy services and much more — all for free.

Christie's proposed budget will devastate library service as we know it in New Jersey, especially in Bergen County, where residents are used to extremely high levels of service. This budget will eliminate all funds to support delivery of library materials from library to library within the state. Interlibrary loans and delivery of library materials could cease to exist. The regional library cooperatives that administer the delivery service, coordinate continuing education for the region's librarians and staff, and negotiate group purchasing discounts will cease to exist. Access to frequently used and much needed database from home and at the library will end. Libraries that rely on the New Jersey State Library for their Internet connection will lose that connectivity. State aid to individual libraries, which suffered an 18 percent cut last year, will be cut in half. The Talking Book and Braille Center (formerly known as the Library for the Blind and Handicapped) will cease to exist, creating a huge void for those who need its services.

As if all of this is not enough, Assemblyman John DiMaio, R-Warren, has introduced Assembly bill A-2555, which would eliminate the minimum local funding requirement for municipal public libraries and leaves library funding on the local level to the discretion of the municipal governing bodies, which means libraries could expect more significant budget cuts.

Those who support the concept of free public libraries need to come forward to help in the fight to stop this madness. Go to http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/ to communicate with the state's elected leaders.

Eileen Mackesy-Karpoff

Bogota, March 22

The writer is director of the Ridgefield Park Public Library.

Posted by tumulty at April 15, 2010 7:08 PM

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