Florida lawmakers slash library funding from 21.3 million to only 6 million.

[madfloridian]

In fact they thought about stopping the funding of public libraries altogether.

State Lawmakers Slash Library Funding

Jacksonville's Public Library branches will take a budget hit if state lawmakers sign off on the recently approved House spending plan. It's the latest in a series of cuts aimed at public libraries in the wake of record budget deficits.

The Florida House budget includes $6 million to aid local libraries across the state, down from the $21.3 in state aid in the current spending plan.

Senate budget makers considered totally eliminating library aid.

Back in early March they considered stopping funding altogether.

State Aid Funding For Public Libraries To Be Eliminated

On March 10, appropriations committees in the Florida House and Senate adopted positions eliminating all funding for Florida’s State Aid to Public Libraries program. This devastating action will result in some Florida library branches closing and will seriously cripple libraries’ ability to serve Floridians. Libraries have already taken their share of local and state budget cuts. This will be especially damaging to libraries in Florida’s rural communities, as these libraries rely heavily on provisions in the program that help communities with lower tax bases.

This action comes at a particularly bad time for Floridians who are turning to their public libraries for help during these challenging times:

Job seekers turn to libraries to learn about and apply for jobs.

Floridians needing to apply for critical E-Government services and benefits are getting help from library staff, computers, and Internet service.

Florida families are relying on library books, cd’s, and dvd’s to stretch household budgets.

Families continue to rely on libraries to help children learn to read and help parents and caregivers learn to be children’s first teachers.

I have a feeling that the end of funding will happen next year, especially with this bunch of extreme right wing Republicans in charge.

One paper wrote an editorial in support of libraries. It was refreshing to read it. Libraries like schools are not considered that important in this state anymore.

From the Lakeland Ledger:

Public Libraries: An Indispensable 'Nonessential'

One of the rare good news stories to emerge out of the recession is that more people than ever are using public libraries. Last year, libraries across Florida saw gains in visitors, in items checked out and in attendance of programs sponsored by the library.

In short, during tough economic times, our libraries serve as both refuge and resource as some people look to save money and others depend on library texts and technology to search for a job. The latter is no small point in a community where 36,000 adults, 13.3 percent of the work force, are unemployed.

So it gives us pause that the Legislature is proposing eliminating the $21.2 million in the State Aid to Libraries program as part of a series of aggressive cuts aimed at balancing this year's state budget.

Over the past three years, the Legislature has reduced its budget by more than $7 billion and is looking to cut another $3 billion this year. So we get it that every dollar counts. We are just not sure that libraries, given the demand for their services right now, is a prudent target of the budget ax.

The Ledger editorial is right, it is essential.

The Florida Library Association and Friends of the Library groups scattered around the state are mounting a campaign to try and save the State Aid to Libraries program, and it is a noble fight, for sure. Not only do the small counties depend heavily on the money to keep their doors open, but an estimated $8 million in matching federal grants also would evaporate if the state money ceased to flow.

The Legislature is desperate to find places to cut, and it is looking at so-called nonessential services. But for many library users, the library is essential, it is the only place many can access computers and the Internet, necessary to seeking a job in today's marketplace.

Sometimes in this state it feels like we are heading backwards into an era where being unenlightened is okay. Reading the words of our Republican legislators this week in regards to education, I feel they are already in the unenlightened zone.

And they seem proud of it.

[Blue Owl]

1. They don't need no fancy book-learning

Seriously, what is it with Florida and its disdain for education?

Sheeeesh.

[MineralMan]

2. Floradas chirren doesnt knead to rede.

[FarCenter]

3. The iPad is out, and books are obsolete

[madfloridian]

8. Books will never be obsolete.

.

[JCMach1]

9. Also, a bit daft to think libraries are JUST books these days

The best ones have morphed into information hubs.

[Ardent15]

4. The legacy of Jeb Bush

nt

[eppur_se_muova]

5. I would have gone stark raving bonkers without the public library when I lived in FL.

Unless you're happy to spend all day at the beach, there's not much culture to be found.

[madfloridian]

6. Grew up in the public library. Loved every minute of it.

Checked out a bunch of books, returned them the next week well read.

Couldn't imagine not having a public library.

[madfloridian]

7. Florida Library Association advocacy....website.

http://www.flalib.org/advocacy.php

[Dr Morbius]

10. In terms of what the people get compared to the costs...

...libraries are a bargain. This is as short-sighted as their education plan, which prohibits better-trained teachers from being paid more. Maybe it's even worse.

It's almost criminally stupid.

[alterfurz]

11. "Libraries will get you through times of no money...

...better than money will get you through times of no libraries."