Friday, March 12, 2010

Florida's $21.2 Million Aid to Public Libraries on Chopping Block

Down from $33.4 million in 2000.


Link to March 11 Palm Beach Post News, "Lawmakers propose eliminating all state funding for libraries".

Excerpt:
If that happens, Florida libraries would lose an additional $9 million in matching federal funds, Department of State spokeswoman Jennifer Davis said.

The cuts could mean library closures in small counties and shorter hours and fewer services in large ones such as Palm Beach County.

Budget chiefs in the House and Senate have cut state aid for libraries to nothing in their preliminary proposals, even as the mainstay of their budgets from cities and counties is dwindling due to declines in property tax collections.

"It could really have a devastating effect because several of the small libraries are just holding on at the moment," said Palm Beach County Library System Director John Callahan, incoming president of the Florida Library Association.

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