How Important Are Libraries to You and Your Family?
Proposed cuts in library funding will affect important services such as shared databases (POWER Library), interlibrary loan, and Ask Here PA, the state’s virtual reference service. Additionally, Governor Rendell’s budget proposal (H.B. 1416) cuts will cost Pennsylvania over $900,000 in lost federal funds. The Senate Republican House budget proposal (S.B. 850) goes even farther, slashing library funding by over $50,000,000 and costing almost $4,000,000 in loss of federal funds. Were this bill to become law, books, DVDs, access to computers, lending between libraries, online databases, programs for kids, and professional staff would be drastically reduced or eliminated. In short, it would be a disaster for Pennsylvanians who depend on good quality libraries.
The loss of this funding will be devastating to libraries and their patrons across the Commonwealth. At this time libraries are bursting at the seams serving the unemployed, families on tight budgets, and retirees grappling with shrinking savings. Reductions in funding will force libraries to reduce hours and services for those who depend on them most.
Libraries across the state are hoping to keep funding for the 2009 – 2010 fiscal year at the same rate as the current year to meet the increased needs of patrons. Please call or write to your legislators and tell them why your local library makes a difference to you and your family. Remind her/him that public libraries across Pennsylvania are busier than ever, making this the worst possible time to cut the Public Library Subsidy. Express your concern over the loss of millions of dollars in federal funding. Encourage them to maintain current funding levels for libraries, to help families throughout the Commonwealth during this current recession.
What Can You Do?
Contact your state senators and representatives. The table below lists senators and representatives along with their consituencies. Let them know how you feel!
| State Senators | Areas Served |
State Senator Jeff Piccola (R) | Derry Township, East Hanover Township, Harrisburg City, Highspire Borough, Hummelstown Borough, Londonderry Township, Lower Paxton Township, Lower Swatara Township, Middletown Borough, Penbrook Borough, Royalton Borough, South Hanover Township, Steelton Borough, Susquehanna Township, Swatara Township, West Hanover Township |
State Senator Mike Folmer (R) | Conewago Township, Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Township, Annville Township, East Hanover Township, Lebanon City, Mount Gretna Borough, North Annville Township, North Londonderry Township, Palmyra Borough, South Annville Township, South Londonderry Township |
| State Representatives | Areas Served |
| State Representative John D. Payne (R) PA House District 106 427 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202106 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2106 717-787-2684 http://www.reppayne.com | Derry Township, Conewago Township, Hummelstown Borough, Lower Swatara Township, Middletown Borough, Royalton Borough, Swatara Township |
| State Representative Ron Marisco (R) PA House District 105 218 Ryan Office Building PO Box 202105 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2105 717-783-2014 http://www.ronmarisco.org | East Hanover Township (Dauphin), Lower Paxton Township, West Hanover Township |
| State Representative David S. Hickernell (R) PA House District 98 B-12 Main Capitol Building PO Box 202098 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2098 717-783-2076 http://www.rephickernell.com | Londonderry Township, Middletown Borough, Elizabethtown Borough, Mount Joy Borough |
| State Representative Mauree Gingrich (R) PA House District 101 430 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202101 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2101 717-783-1815 http://www.repgingrich.com | Annville Township, Lebanon City, Mount Gretna Borough, North Annville Township, North Lnodonderry Township, Palmyra Borough, South Annville Township, South Londonderry Township |
| State Representative RoseMarie Swanger (R) PA House District 102 423 Irvis Office Building PO Box 202102 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2102 717-787-2686 http://www.repswanger.com | East Hanover Township, North Annville Township |
