Friday, March 26, 2010

Libraries facing loss of extensive public services

From today's NJToday.net (The NewsRecord):

The impact of Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed cuts to school and municipal aid awards has gotten the headlines this week, but libraries will also be feeling the pinch under his budget plan.
The governor’s budget proposal cuts state library funding by 74 percent – $10.4 million. Funding for the Talking Book and Braille Center would be eliminated, forcing the service to shut down.
Approximately 250 of the state’s public libraries currently receive their internet access through New Jersey’s State Library; once the money runs out, they’ll have to make other arrangements lose the service.
...
According to State Librarian Norma Blake, New Jersey’s inter-library loan program would be shut down at the end of June once the current funding runs out.
...
“The most devastating effects are the loss of statewide databases that the State Library pays for and we access,” Anderson said.“We use them to help local business people create job lists for sales prospecting and mailings. They are also used to help patrons research companies for career prospects and job interviews. We use the Ebsco databases to help people research everything from consumer health questions to educational assistance. Students access these databases as well, from home in many cases,” she said.

Support Our Fair State's libraries. Please, tell your legislators to STOP the proposed library funding cuts.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Libraries are more important than ever

From the AP:

"A third of Americans — about 77 million people — use public library computers to look for jobs, connect with friends, do their homework and improve their lives, according to a new study released today.
It confirms what public libraries have been saying as they compete for public dollars to expand their services and high-speed Internet access: library use by the general public is widespread..."

An ever higher percentage of people living below the povertly line depend on their public libraries for their computers.

Your public library isn't just books! or reference services! or free children's programs! or free computer classes! or free/low-cost DVD borrowing! or free CD borrowing! or a community center! or free adult programs! There are computers, too.

Library funding should not be cut. People depend on libraries for so many things; in this economic environment, even more people depend on their local library.

Support Our Fair State's libraries. Please, tell your legislators to STOP the proposed library funding cuts.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Where's Homestar?


What happened to Homestar Runner? The site hasn't been updated since December, and there wasn't even a Decemberween cartoon this year. I couldn't find any news, either. Anyone know?