[nabs-l] Fw: Take Action: Vote No on Question One

Beth thebluesisloose at gmail.com
Tue Nov 4 14:11:28 UTC 2008


I don't live in Massachusetts, but I am hoping this "question" is not passed.
Beth

On 10/21/08, Kristina Constant <kconstan at student.umass.edu> wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kim Charlson, Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library"
> <Get-Involved at Perkins.org>
> To: <kconstan at student.umass.edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:00 AM
> Subject: Take Action: Vote No on Question One
>
>
>> Perkins School for the Blind: All we see is possibility...
>> http://support.perkins.org/site/R?i=mV2-eijKqWAckDbY2tFAeQ..
>>
>>
>>
>> Please take time to read this important message about your Perkins Library
>>
>> services! Feel free to forward it, and try emailing the informational
>> ecard to your friends and family to let them know how important this issue
>>
>> is for the future of your library services.
>>
>> Dear Library Borrower,
>>
>> As a library borrower, you know better than anyone how important your
>> accessible library services are for the enrichment of your life. When
>> society invests in education, learning and information access, people with
>>
>> disabilities are empowered to their fullest potential because they have
>> the resources they need to succeed.
>>
>> On Tuesday, November 4, in Massachusetts, a ballot question has the
>> potential to seriously compromise every person's right to quality library
>> services and could result in drastic funding cutbacks for both the Perkins
>>
>> Braille & Talking Book Library and the Worcester Talking Book Library,
>> along with many other critical services from the Commonwealth. Question 1
>> proposes to cut the state budget by $12 billion - or 40 percent  of the
>> overall budget by ending the personal income tax.
>>
>> If approved, the measure would have devastating consequences on all
>> talking book and braille services and programs, and other services Perkins
>>
>> provides to babies, students, professionals, and elders.
>>
>> Ballot Question 1 threatens all of the specialized services Perkins
>> provides, including the Perkins Library and its team of hard-working and
>> talented staff, from continuing to provide quality accessible library
>> services you need to enjoy reading and have access to information for
>> education, recreational reading or for life-long learning. Accessible
>> format books and other materials are far more costly than print editions.
>> Providing books on tape, large print, braille and in other formats through
>>
>> the Perkins Library also requires specialized equipment and trained staff.
>>
>> Other services the library offers, such as Newsline (newspaper access over
>>
>> the telephone), the magazine program and other information services, would
>>
>> all be in danger of being cut as well.
>>
>> If Question 1 is passed, the Perkins Library and the Worcester Talking
>> Book Library, along with other public libraries across the Commonwealth,
>> specialized schools and other human service agencies would be forced to
>> make difficult decisions such as reducing salaries and cutting staff
>> positions. In fact, all of these programs may be forced to eliminate
>> services altogether.
>>
>> At its September 4, 2008 monthly Board meeting, The Massachusetts Board of
>>
>> Library Commissioners (MBLC), the state agency that provides the funding
>> for the Perkins and Worcester libraries, voted to oppose Question 1 on the
>>
>> basis that its enactment would essentially eliminate library services,
>> programs, networks and entire systems that have made Massachusetts
>> libraries among the strongest in the nation.
>>
>> The MBLC Board unanimously approved the following motion:
>>
>> "Be it resolved that as the primary stewards of library service for all
>> residents of the Commonwealth, the Board of Library Commissioners opposes
>> Question 1 on the basis that its enactment would have a severe impact on
>> all types of libraries in Massachusetts and would result especially in an
>> overwhelming and wholly destructive loss of public library services that
>> are fundamental to the educational, social and economic well-being of all
>> residents of the Commonwealth."
>>
>> Income tax revenue generates about $12 billion of the state's $28 billion
>> annual operating budget. The Secretary of the Executive Office of
>> Administration and Finance stated that the loss of the income tax would
>> result in a 60% across-the-board cut in state budgets. Rather than a
>> single across-the-board budget reduction, the MBLC Board believes that it
>> is much more likely that all state funding for library programs would be
>> eliminated.
>>
>> "Everything that the MBLC and the libraries worked so hard to create since
>>
>> the Board's inception in 1890 would be destroyed," stated MBLC Chairman,
>> George T. Comeau. "Instead of every resident in the Commonwealth having
>> equal access to library services, libraries would be a luxury reserved for
>>
>> wealthy communities that can afford to pay for them."
>>
>> The elimination of the state income tax would negatively impact
>> Massachusetts libraries in the following ways:
>>
>> -  The Board of Library Commissioners itself would continue to exist, but
>> it would have no budget and no staff
>> -  Elimination of State Aid to Public Libraries in place since 1890
>> -  Elimination of regional library systems and library of last recourse
>> -  Elimination of talking book libraries for the blind and disabled
>> -  Elimination of funding for automated networks and licensed electronic
>> content
>> -  Elimination of the public library construction program
>> -  Elimination of Federal Library Services and Technology Act grants and
>> statewide services
>>
>> Commissioner Irving Zangwill, (a member of the Perkins Braille & Talking
>> Book Library Consumer Advisory Board) summarized the impact, "This is the
>> very worst that could happen. To try to rebuild after something like this
>> would be impossible."
>>
>> Help make sure access to special format materials to meet the reading and
>> information needs of people with disabilities continues to be available.
>> Eliminating personal income tax and cutting the overall state budget is
>> not the answer.
>>
>> If Question 1 is passed, the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library will
>> either be drastically reduced or might even be forced to close.
>>
>> Please consider the negative impact a "yes" vote on Question 1 would have
>> on the future of education, libraries and many other services in
>> Massachusetts when you cast your ballot. Many of these programs are basic
>> commitments of a civilized society to educate and empower all of its
>> citizens.
>>
>> Please talk with your friends and family about Question 1 and emphasize
>> the importance of defeating this harmful ballot question with your "no"
>> vote. Your future library services may very well depend on it.
>>
>> For additional information on Ballot Question 1, visit
>> http://support.perkins.org/site/R?i=VfFfaL-QRIw2Yxc2g7Bwtg.. or call
>> 617-284-1208.
>>
>> To send an informational eCard, visit
>> http://support.perkins.org/site/R?i=I_jzKSFRVk1Plps9nrwubg.. .
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> The Friends of the Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library
>>
>> To make sure that our emails continue to reach you, please take a
>> moment to add this message's "from" address (Get-Involved at Perkins.org) to
>> your email address book.
>>
>> You can tell your friends to sign up with us at:
>> http://support.perkins.org/site/R?i=7LO5Au1_XcaxJkoBRKfUXg..
>>
>> Unsubscribe from receiving email, change your email preferences, or
>> update your personal profile at
>> http://psb.convio.net/site/CO?i=Z7cV7AnhzvPD3IJRO-m7h_jjSXO0yR3w&cid=1026
>>
>> Perkins School for the Blind
>> 175 North Beacon Street
>> Watertown, Massachusetts 02472
>> Phone 617-972-7469
>> Email Us at Get-Involved at Perkins.org
>>
>>
>>
>
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