Governor Culver has presented his proposed budget for 2009 to the State Legislature. In his proposed budget there is a 75% cut in funding for programs administered by the State Library of Iowa. The funding cuts will have a profound effect on the amount of state money that will be available to the Fort Dodge Public Library. Estimates are that $5,514.00 less money will come from the State to the Library.
The money we receive from the State Library funds programs that give Fort Dodge Public Library card holders borrowing privileges in most Iowa libraries (Open Access) and the Interlibrary Loan program (Open Access Plus). In addition, we receive a state grant (Direct State Aid) that may be used to purchase new computers, additional books and other materials, and programming.
The State Legislature still must act on the proposal before a final budget is developed. The Library needs your held to insure that these budget cuts are restored. Please contact Governor Culver, Senator Daryl Beall, and Representative Helen Miller. Tell them how important the Library is to you. Ask them to consider restoring the funding to the State Library so that we may continue to offer the programs that are funded by the grants we receive from the State Library
If you agree that Direct State Aid to public libraries, Open Access, Access Plus, the State Library, and the Library Service Areas are important, please express your opinion to Governor Culver and ask your local legislators to restore state funding for library services to at least FY2008 levels.Thanks for your support!
The Des Moines Register has an excellent editorial on the Governor's proposal. Click here to read the editorial.
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