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May 2, 2010

Rally to save funds, services for New Jersey's libraries

nj.com

Gloucester County Times

By Times Op-Ed
May 02, 2010, 3:00AM
By Mary Moyer
Special to the Times

The governor’s proposed budget calling for a 74 percent reduction in tax dollars for statewide library services will have devastating consequences to all types of libraries.

School, public and academic libraries are facing elimination of core services and infrastructure, including Internet, loaning and delivery of collections, support for summer reading programs databases and electronic resources. There is a planned 50 percent reduction in state aid, which purchases library materials.

Overall, about $10 million in library programs cut from the budget represents about $1 per person. In Cumberland County, where I am a county library commission member, these losses translate into $50,000 to $100,000 for Internet access, $3,000 to $6,000 for Interlibrary Loan Services, $85,000 for various reference databases, and $19,000 that represents half the library’s per-capita state aid.

These services are organized and offered as shared services by New Jersey State Library to all participating libraries. The state library has been the best governmental example of shared services and, for its stellar efforts, it is now being asked to operate on the same budget that it had in 1970.

Additionally, if the budget cuts go through, all libraries will have to organize and pay for their own Internet access, their own interlibrary loan costs, and their own reference databases. None of these services will function as cost effectively when run by individual libraries.
Families save money by using county library services, and people have had their lives changed by using libraries. They have received educations; discovered opportunities for jobs, hobbies, places to live and explore; and used audio-visual materials. Thousands of residents rely on the county library for Internet and electronic resources for their educational and recreational needs.

In Cumberland, one resident’s comments were: “I love to read and couldn’t possibly afford to purchase the vast amount of material available at the library. I take advantage of the free computer classes to enrich my job skills. The library is conveniently located & the hours are broad enough to accommodate working parents.”

Another stated, “The library has much to offer me as a student. The expansive variety of books aids in research. Also, the wireless Internet is very helpful.”

Cumberland County libraries have banded together to create a network, CLUES (Cumberland Libraries United System) including Cumberland County, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton and the Cumberland County College. Each library serves its individual community and its individual needs, but they work cooperatively as a group to reduce costs and to further their individual resources. All will be affected by the statewide reduction in library funding.

While recognizing the terrible budget problems that the state is facing, the answer is not in eliminating services for libraries, which truly serve residents of all ages and stages of life. Libraries are part of the solution in helping residents during the economic downturn.

Help libraries by visiting savemynjlibrary.org (a Web site associated with the New Jersey Library Association) and attend the rally in Trenton on Thursday to let legislators know of the importance of library funding for all types of libraries. There will be a bus leaving from the Millville Public Library, which will also stop at the Deptford Mall. Information related to the rally can be found at: savemynjlibrary.org/content/may-6th-rally-trenton.

Mary Moyer is a Cumberland County Library Commission member, library media specialist at Delsea Regional High School in Franklin Township, and past president of the New Jersey Association of School Libraries.

Posted by tumulty at May 2, 2010 12:06 PM

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