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May 13, 2010

Oaks at Weymouth senior citizens fear state cuts will mean last chapter for bookmobile

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com
By LEE PROCIDA Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

A group of seniors from the Oaks at Weymouth development usually leave the Atlantic County Library System’s bookmobile with their hands full of books, but on Tuesday they came with their hands full of protest signs against state cuts to library services.

The seniors say they rely on the bus that travels throughout the county distributing books and other media, since many of its patrons are handicapped and do not have access to the nearest library in Hamilton Township.

Some can no longer drive, while others are “a menace on the road,” they joked in the gravel parking lot where the bus stopped for an hour Tuesday.

“This is a godsend,” said 78-year-old Loretta Regan, who had a stack of books in her arm.

Library Director Bill Paullin said no cuts have been proposed to the bookmobile yet, aside from an annual reduction in the amount of trips it makes during the summer when schools close.

Still, a proposed 74 percent funding reduction for the state’s library services in Gov. Chris Christie budget may ultimately affect the service and others, he said.

“Bookmobile service is not being directly impacted by the governor’s budget,” he said, “but down the line it may be.”

Maria Savino, 55, a resident of the neighborhood off 11th Avenue, said that would be devastating to the people living there, many of whom are handicapped and have few other options for entertainment.

Marie Russo, 79, said the same thing, after she picked up a DVD and a James Patterson novel.

“I come here all the time,” she said.

The library system’s Web site calls the bookmobile “an invaluable service for those who are without transportation or access to a library branch.”

It carries 2,800 items, including books, magazines, audio books, DVDs, CDs and other videos.

The county says the service has been available since the 1930s.

But Paullin said the costs of the service are increasing while funding is declining, and that the bookmobile’s future would be based on it being a priority over other library services.

Kathie Cookie and Ellen Vander were running the bus Tuesday. They said they routinely see people of all ages routinely using the service, and were worried about how reduced routes would affect those users’ lifestyles.

Diane Schneider, 65, shared that worry as she checked out some items and overheard them discussing the issue.

“What the heck are we going to do?” she asked.

Contact Lee Procida:

609-457-8707

LProcida@pressofac.com

Posted by tumulty at May 13, 2010 5:02 PM

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