Rendell originally proposed $59.3 million for libraries in February, but the legislature added $2 million following extensive lobbying efforts by library supporters. “We have reason to believe our story made an impact,” Pennsylvania Library Association President Cathi Alloway told American Libraries, adding that the group was thrilled to receive the added funds “in what was a difficult budget year.”
However, the increase fell just short of what it would have taken to trigger an incentive formula that would have guaranteed all libraries at least a 3% boost over their 2004—05 funding. Barbara Cole, director of the state Bureau of Library Development, explained that Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania’s state library agency, calculated it would take $62.9 million to reinstate the program instituted by then-Gov. Tom Ridge in 1999 that rewards communities for making larger investments in their libraries.
The $61.3 million still fails to equal the $75.3 million that libraries received back in 2002. The 2003—04 budget slashed library funding by 37%, to $47.8 million, forcing 75% of the state’s libraries to reduce acquisitions, 43% to cut hours, and 34% to trim staffing.
Posted July 15, 2005.