We thank all of our supporters who called and wrote to PA government officials in support of level funding for libraries. Thank you to The Wellness Point, LLC, who spearheaded our advocacy postcard campaign and thank you to Fisher Business Forms for donating the postcards.
After 100 days of a state budget impasse, a deal was finally been reached. We thank our patrons who worked hard to advocate to keep library services level at a time when patrons are using libraries now more than ever.
For 2010, public library funding is 20.1%.
How can you help? Please consider giving to your library.
- Donate your time, money, or help with fundraising. Your monetary contribution can be used to purchase a book, DVD, CD, or audiobook for our collection, or you can choose to support the general operating fund.
- Purchase Amazon.com products through our website. As an affiliate, the libraries will received a percentage of the sales!
- Continue to advocate on behalf of libraries to your local officials and state officials.
- Use our online calculator tool to demonstrate the value of libraries to our communities!
- Attend municipal meetings to advocate for local library funding
- Write to your state officials to advocate for state library funding
Pennsylvania's libraries are a lifeline for our unemployed, our kids, and literally millions of citizens striving to improve their own lives. Our libraries did not seek an increase but simply level funding in order to meet some part of the rising demand for hours, computer access, current books, publications, and DVDs.
Library funding represents about three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) of the entire state budget.
Important Messages:
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Thank your Senator, Representative and the Governor for her/his past support of public libraries.
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Because libraries are a lifeline for the unemployed and their families, urge her/him to support library funding as one of the priorities for funding
- Tell her/him that public libraries all across Pennsylvania are busier than ever (If you can, offer some specifics about just how much the library means to you in these tough times.) during this recession serving those looking for work, many without Internet access at home, and hundreds more of their constituents and families who need the library open
- Remind her/him that the state funding cuts will force library service cutbacks and possibly even closings at a time when their constituents need libraries to be fully open and equipped to serve.
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