Chambersburg District Libraries

RELEASE DATE: Date

CONTACT PERSON: Bernice Crouse 717-709-0282 x212 bdcrouse@fclspa.org

SUBJECT: Library to Lose $415,000 of Operating Budget Under Proposed Plan

If Governor Rendell's proposed budget is approved as is, Franklin County Library System stands to lose approximately $415,000 per year in revenue,
beginning July 1, 2003. That is one-quarter of the public libraries' operating funds, equal to about 20 employees. This drastic change in state philosophy of funding public libraries comes at a pivotal point in our libraries' development. It would cause more radical local cuts than those experienced three years ago, after just two years of adequate State Aid. If the cuts come to pass Pennsylvania public libraries will be dead in the water, unable to maintain the services which the public has become attached to in recent years.

The following documents should include the improvements in services made over the last three years, the cuts which would be necessary, and the impact on the public, which is particularly detrimental during a recession. Public libraries are the frontier where everyone can improve themselves, where even the poorest resident can find relaxation or education. When jobs and funding are cut people turn to the public library to meet their needs.

Improvements in Franklin County Library System Service 2000-2003

System-wide:

High-speed Internet service*
Automated union catalog*
Collection expansion*
Increased number and quality of public access computers for adults and children*
Increased online resources—POWER Library, virtual reference, standardized test
preparation, digitization of local resources, webpages for libraries, teen book club and message board*
Increased delivery and access to materials county-wide*
Increased family summer programming*
Diversified materials, adding audiobook CDs and DVDs*
Increased continuing education for staff*

Coyle Free Library, Chambersburg:

Improved ADA accessibility
Children’s department furniture
Expanded local history and genealogy collections and staff
Computer lab*
Began Sunday hours*
Began teen/adult summer reading program*
New circulation desk and carpeting

Ragged Edge Library, Chambersburg:

New circulation desk and carpeting
Expansion of largeprint collection
Additional staff*

Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library, Greencastle:

New roof and aesthetic building improvements
New circulation desk

St. Thomas Branch Library, St. Thomas:

Librarian and other additional staff*
More hours

Ft. Loudon Branch Library, Ft. Loudon:

Expansion and renovation*
Additional staff
More hours

Bookmobile:

New bookmobile*
Librarian*
More stops and hours on the road
Creating bookmobile collection*

Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, Waynesboro:

Building renovations

Blue Ridge Summit Free Library, Blue Ridge Summit:

Aesthetic building improvements

*State funds directly supported these improvements

What Would Have to Be Cut First to Make Up a Deficit, Potentially $415,000 in State Aid

Ø Necessary Staff
Ø Some Evening and Weekend Hours
Ø Purchase of Many New Materials, Including Magazines
Ø Some Intradistrict Deliveries
Ø Most Summer Programming for Children and Adults
Ø Some Schoolyear Programming for Children
Ø Some Electronic Reference Materials and Reference Assistance
Ø Fewer Bookmobile Runs

Residents would feel the effects in the following ways:

Ø Less new materials of all types to meet their needs
Ø Longer lines to use all library services
Ø Longer waits for interlibrary loan requests to arrive
Ø Longer waits for equipment to be fixed when broken
Ø Limited times and spaces for programming
Ø Having to travel further to get library services

"The Patriot News" of Harrisburg ran a frontpage article on this topic yesterday, which may be helpful to you for the state perspective. Overall,
Rendell's budget called for a 50% cut in State Aid to public libraries. It was passed by the PA House on Friday, March 7, and may currently be before
the Senate. Local Representative Jeff Coy spoke against what this action would do to public library services and voted against the budget. We
appreciate the support that he and other legislators gave to public library funding. Unfortunately, in a time of economic crunch the budget still
passed. The Senate and the Governor himself could still correct this oversight of devastation to public library services.

I would also like to point out that in Franklin County our County Commissioners are extremely supportive of public libraries, and provide a
significant amount of library tax revenue, nearly $600,000 in 2002. Due to state regulations local library taxes would max out at another half mil.
Even at that level they could not replace a $415,000 loss in state funds.

Please call Ricky Prado x216 or me if you need more information. You may also want to contact Glenn Miller, Executive Director of Pennsylvania
Library Association, at 717-766-7663, for comments of the state level.

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