Sometimes it does work
Sometimes I get depressed thinking about how things are run in this country, the maneuvering and politicking and just general greed, short-sightedness and self-centeredness of the people supposed to represent us. I wish that people would just use some common sense and care a little more about making things better for everyone not just themselves but I know it’s never going to happen. Sometimes I think that apathy has a strangle hold on this country and its people and just what’s the point anymore?
But sometimes the system does work and people do care. I posted a little while ago about a state bill that would slash funding for libraries right when people need them the most. On the local level I and my coworkers tried to get the word out to our library patrons. The response was amazing. I have no problem with the everyday 'hi, how are you, find any good books' type conversation I make with my patrons while helping them or checking out their books, but asking for their support was much harder. It’s not really a big thing but just pointing them towards the flyer we made and explaining about the bill filled me with both nervousness and adrenaline. Many people made noncommittal responses, but several immediately expressed dismay and pledged their support, vowing to write letters or asking for more details about time and location of the town meeting. Those responses left me feeling hopeful and shaky in a good way. I don’t know how many ultimately showed up to support the library, but the night of the meeting the parking of the municipal building was filled with cars.
And it worked. The town council tabled the discussion. And it also worked on the state level. The NJLA listserv sent out this message:
I am very happy to forward the message we received from JoAnne Serrano, president of the library board of Hoboken Library. JoAnne was contacted by Senator Stack’s office on Friday. They indicated he will “withdraw” S2775 as soon as possible.
This is absolutely wonderful news. We have removed the “capwiz” legislative alert from out website. Over 2200 messages were sent to legislators regarding S2775 through this site.
We also want to thank the NJ State Library which called public libraries to encourage them to contact their legislators regarding this bill.
This has been an outstanding advocacy effort by the entire library community. I particularly want to thank the library community of Hoboken who are represented by Senator Stack in District 33. The entire library board led by Board President Joanne Serrano, Library Director Lina Podles and the Friends of the Hoboken Library all contacted Senator Stack’s office and told them how detrimental this bill would be for the entire library community.
This demonstrates that local advocacy efforts coupled with electronic resources such as “capwiz” can make our library message known in Trenton.
We certainly hope this is the end of the efforts to reduce library funding to 1/6 mil. Assemblyman Prieto, sponsor of the bill (A3753) on the Assembly side, has told us he will not go forward with the legislation.
Yeah there are a lot of messed up things about this country and a lot of things we are doing wrong. But it helps to see that sometimes we do get it right. It gives me hope.