State library facing budget cuts – again
As state legislators work to fix a projected $2.8 billion budget hole before the 2010 legislative session ends in March, the Washington State Library once again is in the crosshairs.
Gov. Gregoire’s budget proposal would cut $2 million from the state library, resulting in 31 full-time or part-time workers losing their jobs.
“The Governor’s budget plan would wipe out one-third of our current staff, which would be devastating for our library and seriously affect our capacity to help the citizens of Washington and our public libraries,” said State Librarian Jan Walsh. “People turn to our services when times are hard.”
“I realize we face a tough budget crisis now, but the state library already has had more than its share of cuts over the past decade while most state agencies have seen their budgets grow,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed.
Walsh said the state library offers important services for vulnerable citizens, including the visually impaired and those who are out of work or struggling to cope during the tough economy.
“People use libraries most when times are hardest,” Jan Walsh. “People turn to our services when times are hard.”
“I realize we face a tough budget crisis now, but the state library already has had more than its share of cuts over the past decade while most state agencies have seen their budgets grow,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed.
Walsh said the state library offers important services for vulnerable citizens, including the visually impaired and those who are out of work or struggling to cope during the tough economy.
“People use libraries most when times are hardest,” Walsh said.
“They’ll visit their library to use a computer to work on a resume or to search for jobs. They’ll use their library to research information related to a new career or something else important. Our state library helps provide direct resources to our patrons and to local libraries so they can better serve the public.”
In response to Washington’s sluggish economy and high unemployment rate, the state library last year created the Hard Times Resource Guide, an accessible, statewide resource targeted to the state’s vulnerable populations, at www.sos. Walsh said.
“They’ll visit their library to use a computer to work on a resume or to search for jobs. They’ll use their library to research information related to a new career or something else important. Our state library helps provide direct resources to our patrons and to local libraries so they can better serve the public.”
In response to Washington’s sluggish economy and high unemployment rate, the state library last year created the Hard Times Resource Guide, an accessible, statewide resource targeted to the state’s vulnerable populations, at www.sos. wa.gov/library.
The state library created and manages the Renew Washington project to enable libraries throughout Washington to respond to patrons’ unemployment needs. There are grant projects that allow residents to learn basic computer skills, locate job opportunities, prepare resumes and improve interview skills; complete online job applications; file for unemployment benefits; start and grow small businesses; and retool for a new career with free training materials, educational opportunities and trainings.
“During the Great Depression, government didn’t ignore history and culture, but supported and increased it,” Reed added. “We shouldn’t stop being stewards of our state’s collections and cultural heritage during these tough budget times.”
The State Library has experienced a surge in usage from 2002 to 2009:
• Number of visitors up 22 percent (370,328 to 451,865);
• Number of books checked out up 78.6 percent (648,487 to 1,157,992); and
• Web site usage up an astonishing 1,569.6 percent (33,827 hits to 564,787).
