The PA Senate is talking about cutting library budgets drastically. Really, really drastically. You can find more information (including extra talking points!) here. If you live in PA, you can find your Senators’ names and e-mail addresses here.
To get you started–because I know I hate composing letters from scratch–here’s the e-mail I sent. Please, I know this isn’t the best-worded piece of literature ever, so reword it at will. But do take a couple of minutes and send something, because these cuts will completely cripple Pennsylvania’s public libraries, if they’re allowed to stand.
Dear Senator —-,
First, I want to thank you for your service to the state and for all of your past support to public libraries. I would also like to ask that you please continue to provide the funding levels needed to keep Pennsylvania’s libraries running–a decrease in funds means a decrease in services, and our state simply cannot afford that right now. Libraries are busier than ever, continuing to provide services to long-time patrons, while also serving an increasing number of people, many of whom need help finding jobs. Here is an article from the Tribune-Review, describing this phenomenon: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_612876.html.
Not only is an investment in libraries a direct service to the citizens of the state, but it also tends to bring money into the state that would otherwise not be here. In better economic times, it was shown that every dollar invested by state and local governments in public libraries results in a higher return on investment–in the case of South Carolina, it was $2.86 (see http://www.libsci.sc.edu/SCEIS/final%20report%2026%20january.pdf, page 5). Nowadays, that ROI must be even higher, as more people utilize library services to find employment. A piece of that ROI is from federal funding; you should be aware that Pennsylvania will lose nearly $1 million in federal money if the cuts currently under consideration are allowed to stand.
Please, support Pennsylvania’s public libraries by maintaining their FY 2008-2009 funding levels.
Thank you.
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