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May 5, 2010

Library budget cuts would affect services

njherald.com
May 4, 2010

By SETH AUGENSTEIN

saugenstein@njherald.com

SPARTA -- For the third year in a row, the Sparta Free Public Library unfurled its blue "We're Number One!" banner above its entrance, after again besting the rest of the state on a national ranking.

But the sign might stay in the closet next year.

The library, like its peers across the state, is getting hit by state budget cutbacks. Gov. Chris Christie's proposed budget cancels a full 74 percent total funding to the libraries across the state -- meaning millions in savings for the state, while all but upending the way that libraries are now run.

Including this "number one" in the state.

"We understand better than anybody that we're all in this together, but nobody else is expected to bear a 74 percent aid cut," said Diane Lapsley, the assistant director of the Sparta Public Library. "All in all, it's pretty grim."

Interlibrary loan, e-mail and Internet access, summer reading programs, half the money for buying books, and even the possibility of federal aid could all be gone from Garden State libraries in the near future, if the budget numbers pass muster in June.

The situation seems "grim" enough that hundreds of librarians will converge on Trenton Thursday for a two-hour-long demonstration. Patricia Tumulty, the executive director of the New Jersey Library Association, said there was a "perfect storm" of state aid cuts, a newly proposed library funding law and other statewide changes that are bringing the keepers of the books out to the state capital.

"We have to take to the streets like never before," Tumulty said.

"There's not going to be a lot of 'shushing' in that crowd," Lapsley said.

Their target is a new bill before the Legislature, sponsored by Assemblymen John DiMaio, R-Warren and Hunterdon, and Michael Patrick Carroll, R-Morris. The bill proposes to retract the statute-imposed "one-third of a mill" local library funding from property taxes, and instead leave the funding decisions up to the municipality. The librarians see the bill as a serious threat to the libraries' way of life, which could slash shelves even beyond and below the state budget reductions.

DiMaio did not return a call, although Tumulty said the assemblyman has agreed to meet with the NJLA.

Librarians say their part of the state's bankroll is a bargain for what is offered to every member of the public. Library use has gone up an average of 11 percent, by NJLA counts.

The Sparta Public Library, using all of its $1.2 million budget to supply, replenish and update the 430,000 items that are borrowed from the catalogue annually, garnered the top New Jersey score in the Hennen American Public Library Rating for 2009. The library also finished 18th nationally among its demographic group, too.

However, the reason for the success is also the new financial "irony": The best intentions of keeping the library collection up to date, even dynamic, mean the financial changes hit it quicker and more acutely. (The Township Council also cut back roughly $40,000 in its contributions to the library this year, as it tried to make up some of its shortfall.) There has already been a layoff and reductions in hours; more will come if the extra $100,000 in state reduction is passed by the Legislature.

The "dire" situation, as Lapsley calls it, is not for a lack of patrons. Even on a Tuesday at noon, the Sparta Library is bustling, with young mothers and strollers and little children. There were some older, familiar faces, too. Ellen Mayne, a former librarian herself, said she sees the state's budget cuts as a hit to a public service that sees an increase in use during economic hard times.

"It's a terrible, misguided effort to save money," Mayne said.

Lapsley, who has worked at the library for 17 years, said she hopes the best can remain the best.

"We're proud to put the banner up this morning. We'll leave it up as long as we can," she said.

Tumulty said the budget process could seriously change local libraries, from the shelves and servers, to the books and information found on them.

"We could wake up on July 1 and find our libraries a lot different than they are," she said.

Created: 5/4/2010 | Updated: 5/4/2010

Posted by tumulty at May 5, 2010 4:46 PM

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