State library under attack again

It was many months ago when I wrote my very first column for the San Juan Islander. The topic was the threat to the Washington State Library, and as a result of a tremendous grassroots effort, the library was saved.

I am very disheartened to inform you all that the battle was won, but not the war - the State Library is under attack again. The State Senate has already passed a bill drastically cutting the State Library's budget. Federal funding for local libraries (including San Juan Island Library) will be in jeopardy, and service to the public and the Legislature will be completely eliminated starting in May. State Library staff would be reduced from 80 FTE (full-time equivalents) to 17.8, as illustrated in a chart available at http://www.statelib.wa.gov/news/LibrarySchematicChartwithCuts.pdf

Mike Eisenberg, Dean of the University of Washington's Information School, was quite eloquent in a statement to state legislators:

"I know that everyone is 'for libraries.' I also know that 'times are tough' and every sector must tighten up. But, this goes well beyond that. This is a clear and direct effort to kill the Washington State Library, and it defies reason!

The Washington State Library provides:

Direct leadership for libraries throughout the state.

The ability to secure over $3 million in federal funds that support public, school and academic libraries (including SJI).

Public access to unique Washington collections (historic books and government documents) - access that the NO OTHER library can provide.

Local library service to the blind and visually impaired people.

Yes, we have a serious current budget crisis that requires drastic actions. But, financially, closing the Washington State Library actually makes no substantive contribution to solving the crisis. It is barely a drop in the bucket. But, the result would be huge and irreversible. The result would end an institution - the Washington State Library - a library established by the Organic Act of the Territory of Washington passed on March 2, 1853!"

The bill is now in the hands of the House Appropriations Committee. If you would like to express your opinion, please send an e-mail or call your Representatives:

Rep. Dave Quall quall_da@leg.wa.gov 360.786.7800
Rep. Jeff Morris morris_je@leg.wa.gov 360.786.7970

The Chair of the House Appropriations Committee is:

Rep. Helen Sommers sommers_he@leg.wa.gov 360.786.7814

For more information on the proposed cuts, please go to this link on the State Library's website: www.statelib.wa.gov/news/breakdown.aspx

Lauren Stara
Director, San Juan Island Library
phone number 360.378.2798
e-mail lstara@sjlib.org

news @sanjuanislander.com

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State library under attack again