Status of Library Funding

The 2004 Pennsylvania state budget that has been passed
and cuts State Aid to public libraries by 40%.

Libraries serve the entire population and stretch tax dollars further than just about any other public program.  At the very time that libraries are most needed - they are an excellent source of job hunting tools, small business assistance, school support, computer training, and are certainly the low-cost provider of preschool learning! - their ability to serve has been severely reduced.

State Aid represents 35%-50% of the operating budgets of 8 of the 17 Chester County libraries and 25% of the budgets of 3 more. In the remaining 6 libraries, it represents 10%-20% of the operating budgets. Cutting these amounts could result in drastic changes in libraries.

The Chester County Library System is Chester County's "best kept secret" because it offers so many free resourceful and professional services of which the average person has limited awareness. The System Libraries help children learn to read and succeed in school. They teach parents and seniors how to use computers. They help people find jobs or learn what they need to change careers or finish degrees. They help those who are underemployed or unemployed. They open doors. Libraries change lives, every day, at every library.

Chester County libraries may have to buy significantly fewer books, recorded books, videos, audios, software and Reference materials for children, teens and adults.

 Many libraries may have to reduce hours, even drastically, making their staff, resources and Internet access less available . Children's story times , Summer Reading activities and special events may be reduced and, in some libraries, even eliminated.

Write or call Governor Rendell and your members of the State's House of Representatives and Senate to express your concern or to urge them to restore full funding to State Aid to Libraries in 2005.

GOVERNOR EDWARD G. RENDELL
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-2500
Email the Governor:
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

SENATOR DOMINIC PILEGGI (R, 9TH)
100 Granite Drive, Suite 105
Media, PA 19063
(610) 565-9100
Email Senator Pileggi: dpileggi@pasen.gov

REPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR D. HERSHEY (R, 13TH)
P.O. Box 69
Cochranville, PA 19330
(610) 593-6565
Email Representative Hershey: ahershey@pahousegop.com