Library advocacy works!

In Mid-May we wrote about the treat to NJ library funding with Senate Bill 2775 which called for a reduction in minimum funding from a barely adequate 1/3 mill to a 1/6 mill. Now we're delighted to tell you that thanks to your efforts and the specific work of theHoboken Public Library Board of Trustees (JoAnne Serrano, President), the Friends ofthe Hoboken Library, and Library Director Lina Podles, Senator Stack has withdrawnS. 2775, which would have cut the minimum funding for public libraries in half.More than 2,200 messages were sent in specific opposition to S. 2775. The fieldwork of the New Jersey Library Association and the New Jersey State Library inproviding support and communications are integral elements in keeping both the
citizens and the legislature informed.

Many library users have signed up to become Library Champions and advocate for public libraries. BCCLS Library Champions now represent all 75 BCCLS member libraries, and more than 900 of you have signed up. We are well on our way to our 2009 goal of 2,000champions from BCCLS libraries. Thank you for your past support, which was invaluable in stopping the Assembly Bill, and now stopping the Senate version. We are grateful to the many library boards and town councils who have passed resolutions opposing any change in the current minimum funding law and of course to you in your continuing support for public libraries.

If you would like to sign up as a Library Champion please click on this link http://www.bccls.org/champions/ and join us. Thanks to BCCLS Executive Director Robert White for the text of this message. And thanks to our readers for your ongoing support.