A West Virginia legislator has proposed using scratch-off lottery tickets to raise money for public libraries. Delegate Jerry Mazzatesta (D-Hampshire) made the suggestion after acting state Library Commissioner J. D. Waggoner discussed libraries’ funding problems at a legislative interim meeting September 16.
The state has already used the tickets to fund a nursing home for veterans, the Charleston Daily Mail reported September 17. “It seems to be the wave of the future in West Virginia and elsewhere to make gambling pay for public projects,” said Mazzatesta, to which Waggoner replied, “We’ll cash any check you send.”
Cabell County Library Director Judy Rule suggested other ways to boost library funding, including establishing a statewide excess levy for schools, with funds dedicated to libraries; giving county commissions the authority to levy fees for library support; raising state grants-in-aid to $6.50 per capita; and taking a “carrot approach” in which the state would provide local libraries with matching funds.
West Virginia ranks last among the 50 states in local funding for libraries, the Daily Mail said. Waggoner noted it is fifth in the nation for state funding, a combination that results in a ranking of 49th for overall funding.
Posted September 24, 2001.