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July 16, 2010

Funds help libraries breathe just a bit easier

centraljersy.com
Thursday, July 15, 2010 7:18 PM EDT
By John Saccenti, Staff Writer

While local librarians are happy that money restored to the State Library will allow them to continue to provide a variety of services, they’re still disappointed with a 42 percent overall state funding cut.

”We can’t mitigate that it’s a significant cut, but the way the public responded in advocating to get these programs restored, and that the state wide programs were funded, is a huge victory,” said Pat Tumulty, executive director of the NJ Library Association.

This year’s state budget provides $7.95 million for the State Library, $4.299 more than originally proposed. Gov. Chris Christie had originally proposed a 74 percent — or $10.4 million — reduction in library funding, from $13.70 million.

The money will help support services such as the EBSCO database, interlibrary loans and the JerseyConnect Internet System. In addition, the Thomas Edison State College, the distance learning institution which houses the State Library, will not be merged with the New Jersey State Museum and governed by Rutgers University.

Librarians say the services “saved” by this year’s budget are crucially important to the services they provide as well as to library patrons, who often depend on EBSCO and internet connectivity for research, job searches and for things as simple as accessing news and e-mail.
”It would create a lot of suffering if the state were to cut back on that or eliminate that,” said Plainsboro Library Director Virginia Baeckler. “We have people sit at the computer all day long, and if (libraries) didn’t have it it would be a serious handicap for the public.”

Internet connectivity at Plainsboro is provided by an agreement with Verizon FiOs, but like other libraries throughout the state, Plainsboro depends on databases provided by the state library such as EBSCO — a multipurpose database covering virtually every subject area of general interest and which includes full-text magazine articles, newspaper articles, consumer information, reference books, biographies, photos, maps and flags.

Of vital importance is the interlibrary loan service, which allows patrons of one library to borrow books from libraries across the state.

”It’s just a lifeline because nobody can buy everything they need,” said Ms. Tumulty. “It’s been a huge part of the library services for over 25 years, so having no money in that line was really devastating.”

Princeton Public Library Director Leslie Burger said the funding restoration means the library will continue to offer free interlibrary loan services and database access to periodicals and business resources.

She expressed appreciation for library patrons who contacted their legislators about the funding cut. About 1,000 cards asking for the restoration of funds were filled out and mailed to the state from Princeton Library patrons.

”We’re delighted that some of it (the funding) is back, and we really do think it’s due to the tremendous advocacy from people throughout the state who love their libraries,” she said.

But the news isn’t all good: The library still expects to lose half of its state aid funding, about $16,000, she said.

”I’m distressed about that because that’s money we use to purchase materials,” she said.

Ms. Tumulty also credited a strong grassroots effort by libraries and patrons to get the message out. She said the Save My NJ Library website provided people with information regarding the cuts and assisted patrons in becoming NJ Library Champions. These “champions” were then asked to contact legislators, governors, senators and Assembly people.

”Clearly, many senators, particularly those on the budget committee, got those messages,” said Ms. Tumulty. “We had a very significant grassroots program to raise awareness to these funding cuts. We give a lot of credit to the public for making this turn around.”

Staff Writer Kristine Snodgrass contributed to this report.

Posted by tumulty at July 16, 2010 4:24 PM

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