Budget Cuts Threaten New Jersey Public Libraries - is Your Library Threatened Too?

I didn't think much of the stiff cardboard strip the librarian posted in the middle of the book I had just picked at my library until I got home and checked out the website on the book mark. It was then I learned my library, together with most of the other libraries in NJ, were being threatened by the tax cuts proposed by Governor Christie.

Details about the proposed cuts

Gov. Christie's budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services and what's more once state funding is eliminated, NJ is also likely to lose another $4.5 million in federal funding.

This will mean that many libraries will lose access to internet, their email service, the statewide interlibrary loan and access to electronic databases such as RefUSA.

It will also mean that the 50% cut in state funding will close up the Library for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped and that the group contracts which bring down the cost of other electronic resources purchased by libraries will also cease.

The NJ libraries website gives us the following statistics:-

There are nearly 49 million visits to a public library every year, over 3.5 million programs attended, 144,105 NJ children read nearly 2 million books during summer reading last year, nearly 60 million items were checked out last year (an increase up to 4million from the previous year).

The site also cites the 2007 Potomac Public opinion survey where 83% of NJ residents see funding public libraries as a good investment and 71% of NJ residents believe that a public library is an essential service to the community not a cultural amenity.

Since library programs have been flat funded for years it is hard to believe that their funding had any significance on the present state's financial crisis. The 10 million dollar cut in the Governor's budget represents a mere $1 per capita in state funds.

One of the reasons I love living in Edgewater is because of the beautiful red brick library on Hudson Avenue. The small community library is not only well equipped with the latest material and fast computers but the librarians go out of their way to help. This library offers programs and workshops from young to old and is truly the pulsing heart of our community. Having been a bookworm for as long as I can remember, this place is a sort of nirvana for me.

Is your library threatened too?

It was a normal Thursday afternoon when I picked up the book that triggered this article. As usual the Edgewater Free Public library was busy with activity. Kids were checking out books and hanging out in the computer room, parents helped their toddlers pick their books from the kids section and the tables in the adult reference section were nearly packed.

The existence of a well equipped up to date library in a community is not only a tangible commitment to life long education, but also an investment in our children's education. Is it possible to imagine a library without internet access in today's age? Are we telling our children that in a time of financial strife our love for knowledge must be sacrificed? That programs like the Talking book and the Braille Centre are not important?

To take action and let government officials know we treasure our libraries check out the I love NJ libraries website.

If you don't live in New Jersey check out this site to keep in touch with what is happening in your state or ask the staff at your local library if your state is also proposing budget cuts that will affect your library too.

Works consulted

"The wonderful rebirth of American libraries" by Will Stape" Associated content

"NJ Libraries eliminated from State Budget" Ilovenjlibraries.com