[il-talk] FW: State Budget Cuts Impact Talking Books and Other Programs

[David Meyer]

  _____  

From: Diana Brawley Sussman [mailto:dbrawley at shawls.lib.il.us] 
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 4:35 PM
To: Diana Brawley Sussman
Subject: State Budget Cuts Impact Talking Books and Other Programs



Dear Talking Book Patron,

BUDGET CUTS COULD IMPACT TALKING BOOKS AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES.

As you know, the Illinois General Assembly has not passed a budget for the
coming fiscal year, which begins on July 1st. Drastic cuts have been
proposed for human services, education, and other state agencies. If passed,
these cuts could have a very negative impact on your Talking Book service,
as well as other tax-supported services you may be using, such as Radio
Information Service, Bureau of Blind Services, Special Education, the
Jacksonville School for the Blind, Centers for Independent Living, public
libraries and more.

Remember, as an Illinois resident you can always contact your legislator to
tell them how important the Talking Book program is to you (as well as any
other services you may use). It is especially important to share your
feelings before July 1st, while they are working on the budget. 

Here is a bit more background about how Talking Book service is funded:

 

WHAT IS THE TALKING BOOK PROGRAM?:

 

The Talking Book program is part of the Library of Congress National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The Illinois State Library
Talking Book and Braille Service and its four Talking Book Centers together
provide audio and braille library service by mail to about 27,000 Illinois
children, adults and senior citizens who are unable to read standard print
due to visual impairments, physical limitations, or learning disabilities.

HOW THE TALKING BOOK PROGRAM IS FUNDED?:

State funding for the Talking Book program comes from the Secretary of
State's Budget. The Secretary of State funds the Illinois State Library,
which provides grant funding to support the Talking Book Centers. There are
Talking Book Centers located at Illinois State Library, Chicago Public
Library, and at three Illinois Library Systems. Library Systems are
supported by General Revenue Funds and Live & Learn Funds. Any budget cuts
to the Secretary of State, State Library, Library Systems, General Revenue,
or Live & Learn Funds could result in major budget cuts to the Talking Book
program. The Talking Book Centers, and the libraries housing them, are
already operating on very tight budgets with hiring freezes and limited
staff.

TO CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS: 

 

If you want your legislators to protect important services like the Illinois
State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the Library Systems that
house the Talking Book Centers; Radio Information Service; and any other
programs you rely on-tell them. 

 

Go to www.illinois.gov and click on "Contact your Legislators." You can
input your home address to find your State Representatives and their contact
information. Or call your local Talking Book Center, and they will look up
the information for you.

 

 

Diana Brawley Sussman, Director

Southern Illinois Talking Book Center

Shawnee Library System

607 S. Greenbriar Road

Carterville, IL 62918

 

Phone: 1-800-455-2665 or 618-985-8375

 

 

 

 

 

 

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