Editorial from The Record
THERE ARE dozens of painful program cuts in Governor Christie’s tentative state budget for next year. We support many of these proposals, because we believe it’s high time to end New Jersey’s tax-and-spend-way-too-much ways.
But some state programs are too important and provide so much bang for our bucks, cutbacks are pound-foolish. We [...]
Valerie’s Voice on Library Funding Cuts
May 17th, 2010
In an effort to close New Jersey’s significant budget gap, Governor Chris Christie has proposed cutting funding for many programs, services, and resources across the state. No sector of public life has been spared, including our state’s library system. The Governor’s proposed budget calls for a 74% reduction in funding for New Jersey’s libraries. In addition to holding a rally in Trenton, opponents of this budget proposal have called, emailed, and written letters to legislators on the matter. Below is sampling from emails my office received from constituents urging me not to support the drastic decrease in funding for New Jersey’s library system:
“Gov. Christie’s budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services. This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services. Once state funding is eliminated, NJ will lose $4.5 million in federal funding. This will have a devastating impact on New Jersey libraries.”
Libraries are busier than ever before. 170,000 people enter a NJ library every day. Libraries are used by New Jersey residents to file unemployment claims, apply for jobs, interact with government, expand job skills and participate in life long learning opportunities. Libraries are community anchors.”
“Restore library funding. The $10 million in library programs cut from the Governor’s budget represent little more than $1 per capita in state funds.”
“Do not eliminate statewide library programs.”
As I walked through the State House in Trenton a couple of weeks ago, I heard the loud chants of a normally quiet group of individuals: librarians. They were urging legislators to at least partially restore some of the $10.4 million Governor Chris Christie has proposed be cut from New Jersey’s state library system. I hope that we are able to do so, because like so many of my constituents, I am deeply concerned by the impacts such a hefty funding reduction will have on our state.
While remaining a cornerstone of community life in New Jersey, libraries have evolved over the years into vital hubs for information, resources, and services. Beyond helping people of all ages explore new interests and ideas, libraries host computer and ESL classes, help individuals search for employment opportunities, and promote multicultural understanding.
As a result of the Governor’s proposed funding cut, libraries may be forced to reduce hours, layoff employees, and eliminate certain resources currently available to library patrons, such as free internet. Of especially great concern is that libraries will have to limit their use of interlibrary loans and electronic databases. The Bergen County Cooperative Library System would be most affected by this, as two out of three statewide interlibrary loan transactions occurred in Bergen County in 2009. Many of the system’s users are elderly or disabled. Additionally, the governor has proposed eliminating RefUSA and EBSCOhost, databases that provide access to newspapers, journals and other publications.
While the proposed library funding reductions are no doubt troubling, I ask that you keep in mind that they are only proposed cuts at this point. Along with my colleagues in the legislature, I will advocate for our libraries and the important services they provide to our communities. I look forward to working to find creative solutions to the Governor’s proposed library cuts during the budget process.
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