[Njabs-talk] Help Save Our Library's Funding

[Quintina M. Singleton]

Dear Students,

Please read the following message.  Your support is much needed.

Tina 

Libraries across New Jersey are in trouble and

the Library for the Blind could be adversely affected if state funding is reduced.

Our Library's funding is through the federal government but if the state library

funds decrease, they may have to use some of our federal money to continue their

programs. Please use the sample letter provided below, and either call or write the Governor's office before

March 12, 2009 when he does his State of the State address. 

For use when writing to the Governor

Office of the Governor

PO Box 001

Trenton, NJ 08625-0001

Dear Governor Corzine:

Libraries in New Jersey

 are facing huge problems. Branches are being forced to close, hours and staff are

being reduced, and book

And materials budgets are being force to close. The funding base of libraries is

under attack.  All of these actions hurt the residents of New

Jersey who use libraries.

You know that during times of economic stress, it is even more important to keep

libraries open.

In a recent NJ Survey sample of 88 large and small public libraries, 84% showed lending

increases in the last three months

off 2008 over 2007. 60% had increases in library visits while 58% experienced increases

in computer usage.

48% of the libraries increased library card registrations and 24% had increased program

registrations.  At the same time, 28% of those same sample libraries reported decreases

in their

Operating budgets.

In this very difficult budget year, I am asking you not to cut funds for

New Jersey libraries.

I use the Library for the Blind and Handicapped and really need all their services.

Please do not make any cuts to library service in NJ.

Thank you for your consideration.

Signature and name of group if writing for a group

Additonal statistics if you want to use:  Computers in NJ libraries are used over

200,000 times weekly

46 million people visited NJ libraries last year

 For further information or questions please contact: Tina Keresztury

Associate State Librarian

NJ State Library

609-278-2640 ext. 134

fax- 609-278-2652

tkeresztury at njstatelib.org