Florida State Legislature Threatens to Cut Library Funding

The Florida State Legislature's House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Conference Committee has recommended that the state cut $21.2 million from its budget by eliminating all state funding for public libraries.

During a time when more and more people affected by the recession are using public libraries to provide books and free educational activities for their children, access the internet to search for jobs, and borrow books to research a new career or study for standardized tests as preparation for going back to school, the last thing citizens of any state need is for several of their local public libraries to cut hours or shut down.

But according to the Florida Library Association, that is precisely what will happen in Florida if the state legislature proceeds with this plan. That's why the FLA is asking Florida residents to take action to save Florida's public libraries by contacting their local representatives, Florida Governor Charlie Crist ([email protected]) and the media to let the Florida legislature know how losing public libraries would impact the people of Florida.

Hey, Florida: If you're looking for ways to save money, you might want to start with the salaries of the people who want to cut off kids' access to free books.

H/T Neil Gaiman. Yes, that one.

Comments

[Mike Mansfield]

I'm barely a native of Florida; but library cut backs, of course, won't affect the politicians in their daily lives. They can just buy a book or use their own Internet service (paid for by the state in some cases) and the library cut backs primarily will affect those who have the least.

[hoppytoddle]

Since I have been laid off & our daughter is home with me instead of in Montessori, going to our lovely local library for storytime is one of the few social stimulating activities we have left. We love our local librarians & can't imagine what is next. Oh, yeah. The House accepted the Senate's recommendation for ZERO appropriations for cultural & historical grant line items.

[praveen]

hiiiiiiiiii
dear friend's i read your comment's and post's they are nice and effective but i want to know more about something if you tell me some more imfo. or data about this it's very nice to me and thank's a lot dear.............

====================
sam
====================

Fort Lauderdale Real Estate-Fort Lauderdale Real Estate