Well,here's some more library facts! Budget this time.

     Earlier I gave you some library facts, which I thought were quite impressive.
     Today, Johnnie passed out the latest edition of our Georgia Public Library Service News and it has some impressive facts.  Scarey, in fact.
     I won't get into quoting the entire article about library budgets that I read, but I'd like to share the following with you.
     "Georgia's public libraries, however, will again feel the state's overall economic pinch in the coming year, with an additional $644,965 cut for personnel and operating expenses.  The governor did, however, recommend a $394,218 increase in the formula for library grants, based on an increase in state population." 
     Well, take a lot, give a little, I guess. Thanks goodness for the increase in state population!  And a good majority of those people are coming through our doors on a daily basis.  Probably the same with other libraries, too.
     "The governor recognizes the great value of public libraries, but minor cuts were anticipated," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch.  "With service demands and library use increasing, any reductions will certainly be challenging for public libraries to absorb."
     I have to tell you, we have one of the best library directors around.  She has found numerous ways to help with these challenging reductions...all the way from replacing the old heating/air conditioning system with a more functional one to putting in a more cost effective copy machine.  Granted our reduction in budget no longer allows us to purchase new books and the new reductions will cut into our Systems Services, but we're marching right along as we continue to open our doors to more and more patrons.
     "As members of the [state's] House and Senate work through and modify the governor's outline, we may see some positive developments," he (Dr. Veatch) said.  "If not, many library systems will need to seek additional local funding or be forced to further reduce services to their communities and citizens who are depending on them more than ever."
     Wonder what positive developments means?  And local funding from those who are encountering hard economic times just as we are?  Plans for April call for our MCCLS Friends Book Sale and we're considering other fundraisers as well.  So far, we have not had to reduce our services.  We're still open with our regular hours; we still work with the majority of our staff as part-timers.  And we continue to see an increase in those who walk through our doors.
    "Due to decreases in funding, Georgia libraries were open 23,776 fewer hours this past year than in 2010, which saw a similar 3 percent reduction in library hours from 2009.  Patron visits still show a cumulative increase, however, of 9.23 percent since 2006 - the year before the state's current economic crunch began."
     Well, having quoted all that, I suppose it doesn't do any good to say we're all in the same boat, huh?  But I want you to know we're trying to stay afloat.  And we're still here for you when you need us.
     So, come on in.  We're always glad to see you.  And we don't look for the lights to go out!
(Source: Georgia Public Library Service News, Vol. 9, Issue 4, February 2012)