Massive Cuts Proposed
The New York State Division of Budget is once again calling for a disproportionate cut in funding for library services by proposing an $18 million (18 percent) cut in Library Aid in the 2009-10 State Budget on top of the three percent cut in funding that occurred in 2008. These cuts would bring Library Aid to a level not seen since 1993.
The actual cuts to the Northern New York Library Network would total $174,883, including a $122,554 reduction in operating aid, $32,661 in automation funds, and $19,668 in medical information and hospital library aid. Should these reductions occur, the Network would be forced to reduce member services, classes, delivery subsidies, and research resources such as free access to high-quality databases.
"Libraries continue to be targeted for disproportionate cuts to solve the state’s budget problems. We are willing to do our part, but an 18 percent cut in funding is both unfair and counter-productive," stated Michael J. Borges, Executive Director of the New York Library Association.
Library Aid was reduced from $103 million in 2007 to $100 million in April and then reduced further to $98.5 million in August of this year. Library Aid had remained stagnant for eight years between 1998-2006, when the Legislature finally agreed to modest increases in funding and began utilizing the 2000 Census to calculate Library Aid instead of the 1990 Census.
"These cuts will fall heavily on the 73 library systems throughout the state that are the backbone of our libraries and information infrastructure. Library systems provide libraries with shared services, like inter- library loans, centralized cataloging, website hosting and staff training. They are an example of how the library community has long been a champion and role model for regional cooperation, resource sharing, and providing services in a cost-effective and efficient manner that saves libraries of all types and their patron’s money," Borges stated.
