The Finger Lakes Library System faces a 20% funding cut this year!
The Finger Lakes Library System as part of the 23 Public Library Systems in New York State is being threatened with a 20% cut in funding by Governor Patterson. The funding cut applies to the 2008 fiscal year which ends in December. This means there is just over a month to absorb this huge loss of funding or advocate for restoration. Please take the time to click on the Library Advocacy link in the blogroll and send a message to the Governor and your State representatives. Let them know how important your local library and the Finger Lakes Library System are to you and your family.
A letter from Michael Borges, Executive Director of New York Library Association:
Dear Library Advocate,
I want you to get really angry, I mean really fed up with the way libraries and library systems are being treated by the State of New York. The NYS Division of Budget has proposed a $20 million cut, that’s right the largest cut ever in Library Aid, a 20% reduction in funding, that no other educational institutions are being asked to bear, to resolve the state’s deficit for fiscal year 2008-09.
This cut will be devastating to library services throughout the state, no library or system will go unscathed, if this happens layoffs may occur, services will be curtailed or costs passed onto to local libraries and their patrons.
I urge you to send a letter to your state legislator opposing this proposed cut that the Legislature will consider. The letter is editable so you may include your own comments about how libraries are essential in your community, how library systems save your library money and provide vital services. Or call/visit your legislators in person if possible .
The library community needs to act now in a strong, aggressive and united fashion in order to prevent this outrageous proposal from becoming reality.
Michael J. Borges
Executive Director
New York Library Association
252 Hudson Avenue
Albany, New York 12210
(518) 432-6952, ext. 101
(518) 427-1697 Fax
director@nyla.org
