At least three public libraries in Arkansas are unequivocally blaming Governor Mike Huckabee for budget shortfalls and inviting disgruntled patrons to complain to the governor’s office. In April, the Jonesboro Public Library began distributing bookmarks that said, “There will be no more interlibrary loans after May 31 due to Governor Huckabee’s budget cuts.” The Lamm Library in North Little Rock posted signs attributing service cutbacks to “Gov. Huckabee’s severe midyear cuts in state aid." Craighead County Judge Dale Haas ripped down similar signs at the Craighead County–Jonesboro Public Library, telling the Associated Press June 13 that “the public library is not the place to get our agendas expressed.”
Huckabee recommended in April slashing state library funding from $4.9 million to $1.3 million for the remainder of FY2001. However, the state board of education voted June 11 to give libraries half of $3 million earmarked for alternative schools.
In a written statement, Huckabee said the signs were “completely out of line” because “we are not required under the constitution to provide any money for local projects like libraries.”
Arkansas Library Association Executive Director Jennifer Coleman denied any organized library effort to blame the governor—though, she told the AP, he was clearly responsible.
Posted June 18, 2001.