I have been a Friend of the State of Florida Library for 12 years. I have served in the capacity of volunteer/researcher (most afternoons from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m) for all these years. You can imagine the shock that many of us experienced when we learned of Gov. Jeb Bush's tough budget proposals that include the elimination and dismantling of the Library. Different efforts are being carried on at this time to halt this insanity, including e-mail letter writing to all Florida legislators and senators, protesting in front of the Library and elsewhere and signing of petitions (handwritten and electronic ones). There is something that some of those so interested and inclined can do and that is sign the electronic petition provided by the Florida Historical Society. There is a nationwide call going out to all librarians, historians, researchers, genealogists, students, educators, government workers, authors, etc. to have their voices heard. If this is permitted to happen in Florida, I dread the consequences; other states are sure to follow. Read the petition. Read the thousands of comments pouring in and include your own. We only have until Feb. 28. Anyone interested, PLEASE, PLEASE sign. All you Floridians or persons having ties to Florida on this forum will not want to ignore this opportunity to save Florida's HERITAGE! I want to thank all who will respond.
State of Florida Library in Peril
by Kenneson 8 Replies latest jw friends
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Shutterbug
All states are having to make cuts now. Where do you think the cuts should be made or which taxes should be raised ?? Bug
Edited by - shutterbug on 15 February 2003 22:36:6
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Kenneson
Bug,
So should all states close their State Libraries because they need to make cuts? Would the nation think of allowing this to happen to the Library of Congress? Maybe if Jeb runs for President and is elected, this could happen (if he was permitted to). I'd rather we paid a special tax rather than lose this treasure which includes a museum, archives, Florida collection; photographic collection; documents collection, old maps, plus a regular library.
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Aztec
Well bug, they should probably do what we do in Michigan: use part of the money from traffic citations to help fund the libraries. I signed the petition Kenneson. I love my library!
~Aztec
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animal
Well, what about something similar to the national sales tax.. for libraries? If you use it often, you pay for it. If you never use it, you dont? I never use one, personally I wouldnt miss them. My wife does, so she would pay for the use.
Animal (not into charity at all)
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Shutterbug
I'd rather we paid a special tax rather than lose this treasure which includes a museum, archives, Florida collection; photographic collection; documents collection, old maps, plus a regular library.
Kenneson, no I don't wish to see the library closed , but the question I asked you is the same question Gov. Bush is having to deal with. You say special tax, who will pay this tax, how much, when will the tax be eliminated ?? I don't like animals idea either although that would be fair. However, it would eliminate lower income children from using the library. My problem with signing a petition is that none of these problems are addressed. Bug
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animal
We would need to know exactly how many "poor" people use the library system.
Animal
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Kenneson
Bug,
I discussed the hypothetical tax with someone and they said to forget it. It won't work. The Legislature and Senate would both have to approve it and then it would have to be signed by the Governor. And he wouldn't do it, because he seems to be bent on closing the Library. The only hope so far seems to be if the Legislators and Senators can convince him that this is an ill-advised proposal. Therefore, they are being inundated with petitions. People realize we are in a crunch, but they don't want to let go of the Library. They want all avenues to be exhausted before a hasty decision is made. And they feel what has transpired is hasty.
To save money, it seems to me, they could cut down on the number of operating days to 4, rather than 6. Also, they could put a freeze on ordering new books. And, I'm sure if they think about it, other ideas would surface.
Personally, I don't see how the Governor can legally disperse the materials. The Library was created by the Legislature in 1925 and it specifically states that it shall be located in the State capital, which is Tallahassee. It seems that the Legislature would have to pass an amendment before anything can be even considered to be changed. Wonder if anyone has explored this avenue yet?
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aarque
Libraries all over the country are in trouble.They don't generate a lot of revenue which is why libraries are one of the first to get budget cuts. Closing them is not the answer...when the economy goes down, a lot of libraries see an increase in use. But a lot are going to have to cut their hours, cut staff, and cut out services in order to survive. Maybe libraries should have a small charge for certain services they provide, such as public access computers. The trouble is, it's always the poor who will be hurt by this. There are no easy answers. But the bottom line is, we need the libraries to be open, even if on reduced hours and services.