stoptrashingmylibrary.org

In a recent op-ed in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, local Irondequoit politico Richard Barone–known for his dislike of any kind of tax for any kind of service–called library supporters “cry babies” because of our desire to stop the continual cuts to state library aid.

He lead his missive with

The 10 percent cut in state aid to the New York libraries is not as drastic as it seems or as unfair as some library spokespersons claim.

If Richard only paid attention to the facts instead of relying on typical anti-tax, Tea Party rhetoric. The reality of state library funding is this.

1. Library aid has already been reduced five times since 2008 from $102 million to $84 million in 2010.
2. The proposed 10% cut would reduce Library Aid to $76 million–below 1994 levels.
3. The combined multiyear cuts would total $26 million or 26% of Library Aid.
4. During the same time, library use has increased by 11% and 98% of libraries report helping someone look for a job.

The majority of state library aid goes to library systems. For the Irondequoit Public Library, that’s the Monroe County Library System. The system provides inter-library loan, online databases and resources for research, cataloguing and circulation services as well as professional development programming.

When state library aid is cut, the systems are forced to pass increased costs along to their member libraries. The libraries then have to turn to their funders. Since Irondequoit Public Library is a municipal library–an actual department of the Town–the Library board will have to go to the Town board to ask for an increase in funding to cover the extra $16,199 it will need to pay the system–a 27% increase.

Since the Library has already received cuts from the Town because of its financial situation, it is questionable whether the Town will be able to make up the $16,199 in library funding.

Richard Barone is the cry baby here. Lashing out at any tax regardless of the impact on his community. It’s a shame. It’s rhetoric like Barone’s that has forced Irondequoit and other libraries across the state to cut programming and hours and other services despite increasing use and demand from their communities.

In a recent survey by Kids Out and About.com Rochester, NY, 1,800 area parents were asked to vote on their Top 3 Places to take their kids in the greater Rochester area. From there, the site compiled the Top 20 places. Interestingly, Local Libraries were not on the original list of choices but parents were smart enough to write them in!  This bodes well for libraries in the Monroe County Library System, the Pioneer Library System and the NIOGA Library System.

Parents know libraries are good for their kids. Now, if only the folks who think libraries are a waste of taxpayer money could look beyond their “cut, cut, cut” rhetoric and recognize one of the best public service return on investment in their community–their local library.

The Irondequoit Public Library is a municipal library whose funding has decreased substaintially the past few years. A recent article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle gave a very good overview of what the library’s challenges are and why they are considering becoming a special legislative district public library.

But, blog responses such as this underscore the need for more of us to respond on blogs and refute the misinformation:

Pen247 at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
2:10 PM on February 21, 2011

Why does every town need it’s own library? It might have made sense say before the CAR. You could consildate down into 3 (east side, main and west side). that would save a lot of tax $’s from being taken from everyone for the benefit of the few.Also, Libraries should focus on books. You want internet, buy it or go to a coffee shop, you want movies/DVD’s check out BLOCKBUSTER!

Again, libraries like NPR and cell phones for the poor are all ideas that have no reasonable need. These are EXTRA’s. In tough times families cut the extras so should government.

We all know libraries have evolved from much more than being warehouses for books.

They are community centers that focus on “recreation for the mind.” They provide much needed meeting space. They provide programming and classes for Life Long Learning. They are economic development engines providing resources for small business entrepreneurs and by being destinations that bring scores into downtown areas and main streets across the country.

Join the conversation here and at the Democrat and Chronicle.