Priorities, people!
The story of the Steinbeck library has (finally?) hit the New York Times -- and as a "national" story, which is what it is. Let's hope it helps to shine some light on the sorry state of library funding in every corner of our increasingly fledgling democracy.
Which reminds me: At last month's Berkshire County legislative breakfast for library staff, library trustees, and our local legislative reps, the food was good, the conversation was lively, but the outlook was grim. That's because here in Massachusetts, our library funding situation is simply precarious. After the massive (understatement heavy) budget cuts in '03 (from $33.8 million in '02 to just $25.9 million in '03), very little has been restored. The proposed '06 state budget seeks $27.1 million, but -- and this is a critical "but" -- the line item for "Library Technology and Resource Sharing" is just $691,811. Sound small? It is. Because back in '01 it was $4.4 million. And in '02 it was $3.8 million. Then, tragically, in '03 it went down to just $340,000.
Why is that line item -- #9506 for you budget nerds -- important? Because it's what funds the statewide inter-library loan program, library access to hundreds of subscription-only periodicals (and their archives), and lots more. Wonder why your town rarely sees the bookmobile any more? And why it doesn't carry any non-fiction books? Line #9506, baby. Out here in rural counties, where libraries are small, that bookmobile is critical. And appreciated. And utilized. But now it comes 'round just once every 13 weeks.
Of course, everyone at the legislative breakfast (which, by the way, was at 7:30 a.m. all the way up in Adams, which required an early wake-up call, an ice-cold shower, and mega caffeine en route), touted the importance of libraries. Our state reps, as expected, said they're "on our side." But I didn't hear anything from the politicos that convinced me that libraries are a priority. Instead, it was boilerplate talk about "all the good work you do" (to the library directors and staff) and "we're going to fight for you" (during the budget process). Thanks for the pandering, dudes!
Unless there's more of outcry from you and me, it ain't gonna happen. We take libraries for granted. Slowly but surely they're crumbling -- literally, because there's no money for structural work. And as an educational institution, because there's little money to put anything new on the shelves.
Look, it's pretty simple. Public libraries=democracy. As I noted in this goofy little piece about our little Monterey library, nearly two-thirds of everyone in America uses the services of a library each year. And as the publishing biz drives up the price of a new hardcover book to nearly 30 beans a pop, libraries are critical for providing access to education and information to everyone.
Anyway, spread the word about the Steinbeck library and the fate of libraries everywhere. And kick in a few bucks if you got 'em -- and a few more for your local library, too.
Which reminds me: At last month's Berkshire County legislative breakfast for library staff, library trustees, and our local legislative reps, the food was good, the conversation was lively, but the outlook was grim. That's because here in Massachusetts, our library funding situation is simply precarious. After the massive (understatement heavy) budget cuts in '03 (from $33.8 million in '02 to just $25.9 million in '03), very little has been restored. The proposed '06 state budget seeks $27.1 million, but -- and this is a critical "but" -- the line item for "Library Technology and Resource Sharing" is just $691,811. Sound small? It is. Because back in '01 it was $4.4 million. And in '02 it was $3.8 million. Then, tragically, in '03 it went down to just $340,000.
Why is that line item -- #9506 for you budget nerds -- important? Because it's what funds the statewide inter-library loan program, library access to hundreds of subscription-only periodicals (and their archives), and lots more. Wonder why your town rarely sees the bookmobile any more? And why it doesn't carry any non-fiction books? Line #9506, baby. Out here in rural counties, where libraries are small, that bookmobile is critical. And appreciated. And utilized. But now it comes 'round just once every 13 weeks.
Of course, everyone at the legislative breakfast (which, by the way, was at 7:30 a.m. all the way up in Adams, which required an early wake-up call, an ice-cold shower, and mega caffeine en route), touted the importance of libraries. Our state reps, as expected, said they're "on our side." But I didn't hear anything from the politicos that convinced me that libraries are a priority. Instead, it was boilerplate talk about "all the good work you do" (to the library directors and staff) and "we're going to fight for you" (during the budget process). Thanks for the pandering, dudes!
Unless there's more of outcry from you and me, it ain't gonna happen. We take libraries for granted. Slowly but surely they're crumbling -- literally, because there's no money for structural work. And as an educational institution, because there's little money to put anything new on the shelves.
Look, it's pretty simple. Public libraries=democracy. As I noted in this goofy little piece about our little Monterey library, nearly two-thirds of everyone in America uses the services of a library each year. And as the publishing biz drives up the price of a new hardcover book to nearly 30 beans a pop, libraries are critical for providing access to education and information to everyone.
Anyway, spread the word about the Steinbeck library and the fate of libraries everywhere. And kick in a few bucks if you got 'em -- and a few more for your local library, too.
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