A Year Later, Florida Legislators Again Try To Axe Aid to Public Libraries
Situation in flux, advocacy increases; legislator positions funding to be restored
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 03/18/2010
- State funding cut by one-third since 2001
- Branches would close
- Possibility for funding to be restored in committee
In big red letters on its web site, the Florida Library Association (FLA) warns, "We Have Another State Aid to Public Libraries Legislative Crisis!"
Indeed, less than a year after library advocates staved off a $21 million cut in crucial library aid, some legislators see the library allocation—which has existed since 1962—as ripe for elimination. Though cuts have been proposed, other legislators are fighting back.
Funding axed
According to FLA Executive Director Faye Roberts, on March 10, "appropriations committees in the Florida House and Senate adopted positions eliminating all funding for Florida’s State Aid to Public Libraries program." The impact would be branch closings and a severe decline in service, notably in rural communities that depend on provisions in the program that boost communities with lower tax bases.
While the library community recognizes the challenges facing the state, FLA points out that state library aid has already declined by more than one-third, from $33.4 million in 2001 to $21.2 million today. The loss of state funding, coupled with local cuts, jeopardizes federal funds.
Complicated situation
According to an FLA advocacy update dated March 17, the House Transportation and Economic Development Committee has added $500,000 to its budget for State Aid to Public Libraries—not to provide token funding but to make sure that if State Aid funding does not get restored before conference, it will be brought up in conference.
FLA credited Chairman Rep. Rich Glorioso for the move, as well as for increasing funding for Library Cooperatives from $500,000 to $1 million.
While FLA does "not expect that State Aid will be resolved until the Conference Committee process, not unlike last year," it all "could change in a moment."
