Wisconsin libraries are preparing for massive cutbacks in anticipation of Gov. Scott McCallum’s plan to close a $1.1-billion budget deficit by reducing state aid to municipalities. His proposal, announced in January, would reduce state shared revenue by $680 million this year and eliminate it altogether by 2004, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported February 26. It also calls for a 5% reduction, amounting to $737,500, in direct aid to the state’s 17 library systems.
“With the loss in shared revenue, libraries will be competing for a smaller pot of money with police, fire, and garbage. In the pecking order, they would not be on top,” said Cal Potter, head of the Wisconsin Division of Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning.
Milwaukee Public Library has already put a hold on equipment purchases and most new hires, the Journal Sentinel reported. Staff at the Franklin Public Library have been told to prepare for cuts of up to 20%. Other responses may be even more drastic: The Village of Pewaukee said it might eliminate its entire library program next year, saving $287,000.
During a series of live interviews with Wisconsin TV stations to explain his budget plan February 26, McCallum, thinking he was off the air, called a Rhinelander television reporter a “dumb son of a bitch.” McCallum, who later apologized, told the Journal Sentinel that reporter Matt Barrie repeatedly asked him whether his cuts would close the Rhinelander library.
Posted March 4, 2002.