Hard economic times bring further cuts in library funding
GPLS News, February 2010
The cut in state support for Georgia's public libraries during FY 2010 stands at $3.3 million. The lean budget was partially offset, however, by the governor's and the legislature's funding of 18 library-related design and construction projects.
Although Georgia's public libraries are reporting double-digit increases in use, many of them will feel the state's economic pinch harder than ever in the coming fiscal year.
Two days on the heels of his eighth and final State of the State Address to the Georgia General Assembly on Jan. 13, Gov. Sonny Perdue formally submitted his recommendations for the Amended Fiscal Year 2010 and Fiscal Year 2011 budgets. The former includes an 8.2 percent reduction of formula funds from the original FY 2010 budget.
The cut in state support for Georgia's public libraries during FY 2010 stands at $3.3 million in direct funding and staff furloughs. The lean 2010 budget was partially offset, however, by the governor's and the legislature's funding of 18 library-related design and construction projects.
Perdue's 2011 budget continues the 2010 cuts, with an incremental 1.7 percent reduction that brings the total decrease to 9.9 percent. However, none of the 12 capital outlay proposals made by Georgia Public Library Service for 2011 received Perdue's recommendation for funding.
"I know that the governor recognizes the great value of public libraries," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch, "but virtually every recipient of state funding is working with significant cuts due to the state's projected budget shortfalls, and libraries are not exempt."
The 2010 and 2011 budget reductions cover both GPLS operations and state grants to libraries, Veatch explained, and cuts were anticipated. "We understand the need for further belt tightening," he said, "but with library use increasing so dramatically, more budget reductions will certainly be challenging for public libraries, as well as for GPLS, to absorb."
Veatch noted that the possibility exists that the General Assembly will restore some library funding as members of the House and Senate work through and modify the governor's outline.
"If not," he said, "many library systems will need to seek additional local funding or be forced to reduce services to the communities and citizens who are depending on them more than ever."
Georgia Capitol photo by Jennifer Boriss
