this has been an all-around lousy day
Pretty much the only thing I use this journal for is to share scans. I don't talk much about my life. I have mentioned a few times that I am a librarian, which is probably not all that surprising considering what most of the content here is. I got my M.L.S. last year. Since September, I've been working at the university where I got both bachelors and masters degrees. It's just a student position. I applied for a "real librarian" job, but today I found out that I didn't get it. But that's not the reason why I'm writing this post.
One of the difficulties I'm having in getting a "real librarian" position is the economy. It sucks. A lot of people are hurting, and I know I'm lucky to have the job that I've got. I'm not complaining. But libraries, as a whole, are really suffering in this recession.
I'm a fifth generation native Floridian. I love this state. Today, I got this press release from the Florida Library Association, of which I am a member. Our legislature decided to eliminate all funding for the State Aid to Public Libraries program. That's about $32 million total. There's an additional $8 million from the federal government, which we won't get without the state's money. So statewide, Florida's public libraries will lose $40 million dollars.
This is not, by the way, the first round of cuts. Public libraries have already been working on drastically decreased budgets. First they start with hiring freezes, not replacing the people who retire or leave. They buy fewer materials, and cut some services, like interlibrary loan. They try cutting back on the hours--a few a week, maybe closing early or opening later. The last resorts are closing for additional days and laying off current staff. Neither is an easy decision to make, but it's happened. And all of this is before cutting state aid. If State Aid to Public Libraries is eliminated, libraries will close. There is no question about it.
The Florida Library Association is asking people to contact the governor and legislators, asking them not to go through with this. They've set up a website where you can go and send them a message. They have a message already in place. I know there are a few Floridians on my friends list; maybe a few of you lurkers live here, too. I'd really appreciate it if you did this. The FLA's site is Florida specific, but if any non-Floridians want to get involved, here's how you can contact Governor Crist.
I've never gotten political here before. I'm only doing this because the situation is so dire. From what I understand, many of Florida's legislators don't even know about it. Contacting them really does make a difference. That's why I'm encouraging it here. I'm going to leave this post open so that everyone who visits this journal can see it.
Thanks, everyone.
One of the difficulties I'm having in getting a "real librarian" position is the economy. It sucks. A lot of people are hurting, and I know I'm lucky to have the job that I've got. I'm not complaining. But libraries, as a whole, are really suffering in this recession.
I'm a fifth generation native Floridian. I love this state. Today, I got this press release from the Florida Library Association, of which I am a member. Our legislature decided to eliminate all funding for the State Aid to Public Libraries program. That's about $32 million total. There's an additional $8 million from the federal government, which we won't get without the state's money. So statewide, Florida's public libraries will lose $40 million dollars.
This is not, by the way, the first round of cuts. Public libraries have already been working on drastically decreased budgets. First they start with hiring freezes, not replacing the people who retire or leave. They buy fewer materials, and cut some services, like interlibrary loan. They try cutting back on the hours--a few a week, maybe closing early or opening later. The last resorts are closing for additional days and laying off current staff. Neither is an easy decision to make, but it's happened. And all of this is before cutting state aid. If State Aid to Public Libraries is eliminated, libraries will close. There is no question about it.
The Florida Library Association is asking people to contact the governor and legislators, asking them not to go through with this. They've set up a website where you can go and send them a message. They have a message already in place. I know there are a few Floridians on my friends list; maybe a few of you lurkers live here, too. I'd really appreciate it if you did this. The FLA's site is Florida specific, but if any non-Floridians want to get involved, here's how you can contact Governor Crist.
I've never gotten political here before. I'm only doing this because the situation is so dire. From what I understand, many of Florida's legislators don't even know about it. Contacting them really does make a difference. That's why I'm encouraging it here. I'm going to leave this post open so that everyone who visits this journal can see it.
Thanks, everyone.