[NFBMT] Montana State Library Commission Public Comments

[d m gina]

I am not disappointed.
I forgot all about it.
Most of my reading comes from bard.
Books folks have shared to read.
Except for our state conventions is the only time I have met Kristi.
I don't know others.
The gentleman spoke to me when I was adding a key to the stream.
I have asked several times if I could help with turning over cards for 
the books going out.
I understood when it was explained to me, that they couldn't mail a 
bunch to me, this had to be done at the office.
I would have been a volunteer if I had lived in the same city.

Original message:
> I posted a message about this meeting last week on the list.  Eighteen people
> from the SOP were at this public comment session, and most of them were
> crying.  Granted, they are in the same town as the Montana State library, but
> there was a go to meeting link and a conference call phone number given in
> the original message.  They were there in force and the only one of us that
> was there was Bruce.  I would have been there but for a hastily scheduled
> dentist appointment.  I am very disappointed.



> Here is part of an email between Christie and me.

> Snip snip

> Budget cuts are always difficult and affect everyone and all services. Letter
> writing to our state representatives, senators and the governor are always
> helpful and supportive. However, HB2 was approved and signed by the Governor
> and will take effect on July 1st. What this means for the state library under
> HB2 is that four positions, two in talking books and two in the Digital
> Library department, will be eliminated.  Reorganization will be done to cover
> the duties and responsibilities of these four positions by the existing
> staff, including remaining TBL staff.



> According to SB261, additional cuts to other state library program positions
> may need to be made if revenue triggers are not met by August 15th. The
> proposal for both cuts will be voted on at the June 14th Commission meeting.



> TBL services won't be eliminated at this time, but the plan to reorganize TBL
> by July 7th came as a complete surprise to me. I unfortunately do not have
> details of that plan, as I was not involved with developing it.

> Snip snip



> Bruce said that what he got from the meeting was that the reading room at the
> State Library will be closed, the Montana Talking Book Library will merge
> with the Montana Digital Library, and that two positions from the MTBL and
> two positions from the Digital Library will be cut, with more possible.  One
> of the three reader advisor positions will be cut from the Montana Talking
> Book Library, as well as the Supervisor position, currently held by Christie
> Briggs.



> Here is my public comment to the State Library Commissioners.

> Snip snip

> I think these proposed budget cuts are unfortunate, although I understand why
> they are being proposed, to comply with budget cuts in House bill 2, passed
> by the 2017 Montana legislature.



> Since the Montana State Library is a relatively small agency in the first
> place, cutting staff and reorganizing their duties will put an added stress
> on those that remain.  My dealings with the staff have always been cordial,
> and I have always found them to be knowledgeable and professional.  Having
> been laid off almost two years ago from my own job, I feel this personally.
> I don't like to see people so dedicated and so qualified lose their jobs
> unnecessarily.  I am particularly pleased with the Talking Book Library
> service, having been a patron of theirs for years.  If these budget cuts go
> through, I think we will do the best we can with what we have left, and my
> hope is that this budget cutting cycle will indeed be a cycle, and will
> eventually swing up again.  I feel that budget cuts like these are being put
> on the backs of those who can least afford them, on the whim of those who
> don't feel them in their everyday lives.  It's unfortunate when the bottom
> line overrules common sense, and governs the quality of people's lives.



> I am speaking as an individual, and not a representative of any group or
> organization.



> Thank you.



> Sincerely,

> Snip snip



> If anybody else wants to submit a public comment, here are the links.

> Jennie Stapp, Montana State Library Director JStapp2 at mt.gov

> Karen Keninger, Executive Director, National Library Service kken at loc.gov



> If any other public comments are posted somewhere, I will keep you advised.



> Joy Breslauer, President

> National Federation of the Blind of Montana

> Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/>



> Live the life you want



> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.



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--Dar
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