State library funding eliminated
Lawmakers want to know public wants state library support
Recent action — or rather, inaction — in the state legislature could limit the services our local library provides to residents in the north end of the county.
A visit to the Crestview Public Library on any given weekday evening finds the facility busy. Residents of all ages use the computers for everything from doing their homework to researching employment opportunities. Kids browse the young readers’ section looking for the perfect book to take home. Moms check out novels by their favorite authors while dads poke through the movies searching for a great DVD to enjoy after the young ‘uns are in bed.
With programs including Family Library Time (the recent Irish dancing demonstration drew nearly 70 participants), first Tuesday lectures, art exhibits, story time and Teen Wii, the library serves all demographics with diverse functions ranging from educational and entertainment to being the de facto community arts center.
But if users don’t act quickly, said reference librarian Sandra Dreaden, many of these services and programs may be at risk.
The budgets of the House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development committees have completely eliminated state funding for libraries, said library staff, despite recommendations by the Department of State and Gov. Charlie Crist, with the support of the Florida Library Association, to maintain the current $21.1 million allocation libraries receive statewide.
“They did this last year,” sighed Dreaden. “Our area legislators have been very supportive of our libraries, but they need to hear from the public to justify restoring state aid to libraries.”
The Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative received $83,387 last year from the state, Dreaden said. “That’s a drop from a few years ago of $209,000. Last year’s budget cuts cost us the databases that the OCPLC provided to the six member libraries.”
Among services local library patrons lost were access to Chilton automotive repair manuals and the LearningExpress Library database. LearningExpress offered patrons practice exams for education and career opportunities, including the ASVAB, ACT and SAT tests, and professional exams for diverse careers including real estate and postal service positions, Dreaden said. As the economy declined, LearningExpress had become a popular resource for job hunters.
“We lost all those test prep exams,” Dreaden lamented. “And we lost programming money that we could use for children’s programs, such as performers or traveling artists.”
If the legislative committees do not restore the funding, it means more money will lost than just the $21.4 million, she added.
“We also lose the $8.4 matching funds from the feds,” Dreaden said.
State funding for libraries has already been slashed from $33.4 million in 2001, the FLA said.
“What’s ironic is the government puts more and more onto the library,” Dreaden said. “They close state and local offices and say ‘go to the library to apply for your food stamps,’ but they don’t give us the funds that support our technology and computer needs.”
How to support state library funding
Local library officials encourage library users to contact our area representatives and senators to encourage them to restore state funding for libraries. Phone numbers listed are local district office numbers.
• Rep. Greg Evers, Dist. 1, 983-5550, greg.evers@myfloridahouse,gov
• Rep. Brad Drake, Dist. 5, 892-8431, brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov
• Sen Durell Peaden Jr., Dist. 2, 689-0556, peaden.durell.web@flsenate.gov
• Sen. Don Gaetz, Dist., 897-5747, gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
