Below is the call to action from Cynthia Bledsoe, the acting director of the library where I work, written as a response to two budget vetoes by Governor Mark Sanford; Budget Vetoes 31 and 92. If these vetoes are not overturned, we are going to lose the SC State Library and shut down small branches across our state in rural areas where library service is desperately needed. My library system and other metropolitan and suburban systems will be severely crippled. This is as bad for our state as Governor Sanford’s refusal to take the federal stimulus money.
Please let your legislators know where you stand on this issue. SC folks are using libraries now more than ever. Cutting out a public service that does so much good, so efficiently, for so many is a terrible mistake in these difficult financial times, IMHO.
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED TO HELP SAVE FUNDING FOR CHARLESTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Gov. Sanford’s vetoes Wednesday include two line items that cut $6.5 million in State funds for libraries and jeopardize the receipt of an additional $2.7 million in Federal LSTA (Library Services and Technology) funds. Effectively, if these vetoes stand, public libraries in South Carolina will receive ZERO dollars from the state.
It’s imperative residents contact their legislators immediately to let them know how vital libraries are to their community and ask that the Budget Vetoes 31 and 92 be overturned. The State House is expected to vote on this issue Tuesday, June 15.
South Carolina libraries are already being forced to cut hours, cut staff, cut purchases for materials and shut buildings to deal with the existing financial crisis. These further cuts could be devastating and, ultimately, hurt the state’s most desperate residents – those who are turning to libraries for educational and employment help because they’ve been laid off, displaced, furloughed or in need of assistance. Since the economic crisis began, South Carolina’s libraries have faced record-breaking, double-digit increases in the demand for services. In many communities, libraries are often the only resource for residents needing help with job searches, resume writing, skills training, career assessments, etc. Libraries also are often the only place where people can get free access to computers to search and apply for jobs. Many employers now require applications be filled out online.
In Charleston County, the loss of state funds will drastically impact the library’s ability to keep its’ collection current and buy needed materials, such as books, DVDs, CDs, etc.
Sanford’s logic and comments show a lack of knowledge about the real crisis facing individuals in South Carolina and about the importance of public libraries.
· Libraries in South Carolina lost millions in State Aid over the past two years, a result of a 41 percent cut in funding from the General Assembly.
· Sanford misrepresents the funding now being received by libraries, saying libraries receive Lottery funding. Two years ago, libraries were cut as a funding recipient of the S.C. Education Lottery, despite libraries specifically being listed in the lottery’s enabling legislation.
· Sanford said counties should step up to fund libraries, but counties statewide have slashed budgets in recent years, including funds for libraries.
· Sanford inaccurately minimizes the importance of libraries in South Carolina, saying they don’t “rise to the level of many of our other core services such as law enforcement and heath care.”
o Sanford rallies around the importance of education, yet libraries are a core component of the educational system in every community. What could be more of a core service than helping people find employment or helping them get the training or retraining needed to find a new job or keep the job they presently have?
o Studies also repeatedly show that libraries play a key role in business and economic development, and libraries are referenced as a key service measured by businesses wanting to invest in an area.
o Getting people employed or re-employed will help lead to economic recovery and could help prevent increases for other state-funded services, such as unemployment and potentially impact law enforcement and health care.
