Fellow Librarians:
The First Edition of the ILA Advocacy Hotline is now online. This issue of the Hotline is an excellent resource for librarians wanting to see the details of the proposed cuts to state funding for library services. The newsletter also contains links to resources useful to library advocates.
Monday's Des Moines Register editorial, "Resist Cuts to Iowa's Libraries," was a major coup. However, now's not the time to let up. The state's budget is tight and appears to be growing tighter. We need as much input as possible--from patrons as well as librarians--if we're to get the cuts rescinded. Let's not lose our momentum!
We therefore ask that you contact the governor via his website form. If you agree that an 18% cut in funding for library services, while the rest of the budget increases by 6%, is unacceptable, tell him so. Remember: be polite, but be adamant.
The governor's representatives contend that their proposal is just a starting point and that the legislature is free to amend it as they see fit. That puts the ball squarely in our court: Contact your local legislators and let them know the impact of the cuts on your library's budget. A scenario describing how the cuts to Enrich Iowa funding will impact individual libraries can be found on the ILA website. Please use it to support your argument.
This weekend I will once again attend our local (AEA 267) legislator forum and will once again share my opinions with our local senators and representatives. I encourage you to do the same. When the time comes for public input, be polite, but be adamant, as you tell your legislators precisely how much their library-using constituents stand to lose if the 18% budget cut is not rolled back.
Our efforts thus far have generated lots of positive feedback--especially from legislators. However, adjournment is a long way away, the budget is tight, and we must keep up the pressure. Please let the governor and your local legislator know how you feel about cuts to funding for library services. And it wouldn't hurt to add that about 60% of their constituents are regular library users.
Thanks for staying with us. Please contact me by phone (319 833 9118) or email with questions or comments.
Useful Hyperlinks:
Find your legislator: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/
Contact the Governor: http://www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/contact/
Advocacy Hotline: http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/associations/2221/files/AdvocacyHotlineJanuary272008.pdf
Impact of cuts to Enrich Iowa: http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/associations/2221/files/725%20000%20cut%20to%20DSA.pdf
"Resist Cuts to Iowa's Libraries": http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801280303
-- Michael J. Dargan
GAC Chairperson
Iowa Library Association
MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
319 833 9118
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Use Snail Mail to Express your Opinion!
Hello-- Yes, it's me again. It's late at night, I've got Rock & Roll blasting in the background, I'm dead-tired, and I have to get one more message out to my library buddies before it's my bedtime:
One of the goals of the Iowa Library Association Government Affairs Committee is to generate 100 contacts per library per week until the Governor's 18% cut to state funding for libraries is rescinded. Phone calls, emails, and face time are all important, but let's not forget snail mail! To that end, one of GAC's industrious elves has prepared a postcard template which may be downloaded from the Iowa Library Association website.
Once the file is on your PC (or Macintosh, I presume), edit the fields for your library's logo and anticipated loss of Enrich Iowa funding. Print both sides, use your paper cutter to chop them apart, and start forking them over to patrons as they come to the circulation desk.
If your ILL patrons understood the implications of the proposed reductions to Access Plus, they'd be especially eager to participate! (Be sure to direct them to ILA-GAC for details.)
Robin Martin has asked me about the impact of library service budget cuts on academic libraries. The short answer is YES! The Governor's proposed cuts will have a significant impact on Iowa's college and university library community: For the long answer, see Budget Impact on Academic Libraries
And, as always, you know the drill: Contact the Governor with your opinion of his proposed 18% cut to state funding for library services, alert your local legislator to the consequences for your library's users, and encourage your friends, neighbors, trustees, and patrons to join in.
As always, be adamant in your advocacy for Iowa's library services, but also be polite. We're in this for the long haul and need all the friends we can get.
I'm eager to hear feedback. Please send comments, suggestions, complaints, corrections, etc. to me at MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org.
Thank-you for your support for Iowa's library services!
One of the goals of the Iowa Library Association Government Affairs Committee is to generate 100 contacts per library per week until the Governor's 18% cut to state funding for libraries is rescinded. Phone calls, emails, and face time are all important, but let's not forget snail mail! To that end, one of GAC's industrious elves has prepared a postcard template which may be downloaded from the Iowa Library Association website.
Once the file is on your PC (or Macintosh, I presume), edit the fields for your library's logo and anticipated loss of Enrich Iowa funding. Print both sides, use your paper cutter to chop them apart, and start forking them over to patrons as they come to the circulation desk.
If your ILL patrons understood the implications of the proposed reductions to Access Plus, they'd be especially eager to participate! (Be sure to direct them to ILA-GAC for details.)
Robin Martin has asked me about the impact of library service budget cuts on academic libraries. The short answer is YES! The Governor's proposed cuts will have a significant impact on Iowa's college and university library community: For the long answer, see Budget Impact on Academic Libraries
And, as always, you know the drill: Contact the Governor with your opinion of his proposed 18% cut to state funding for library services, alert your local legislator to the consequences for your library's users, and encourage your friends, neighbors, trustees, and patrons to join in.
As always, be adamant in your advocacy for Iowa's library services, but also be polite. We're in this for the long haul and need all the friends we can get.
I'm eager to hear feedback. Please send comments, suggestions, complaints, corrections, etc. to me at MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org.
Thank-you for your support for Iowa's library services!
Budget Impact on Academic Libraries
Earlier today, Robin Martin, of Central College, asked me to explain just how the Governor's proposed cuts to library services would impact academic libraries. Most of my experience has been with public libraries, so I bumped that query up to Mary Wegner, the State Librarian. Below is her response:
"Here's a partial answer to your question about the impact of the governor's proposal budget cuts to Iowa academic libraries:
The governor's budget proposes a cut of $725,000 to the Enrich Iowa funding line. Enrich Iowa is made up of three programs: Direct State Aid (for public libraries only); Open Access; and Access Plus.
There are at least three scenarios regarding the impact of the potential cut:
IF the cut of $725,000 is taken entirely from the Direct State Aid program, the result will be a cut of approximately 75% to the Direct State Aid checks for each of the nearly 500 participating public libraries. The exact amounts are shown in the spread that you have already distributed, Mike. In this scenario, the $725,000 cut to Enrich Iowa would primarily affect public libraries and their customers.
IF the cut of $725,000 is taken entirely from the Open Access and Access Plus programs, the approximate result would be a cut in per transaction funding for Open Access from $.34 to $.18, and a cut in per transaction reimbursement for Access Plus loans from $1.75 to $1.21. (There are many variables to take into account - this is the best estimate that we can make.) In this scenario, all participants in Open Access and Access Plus - public, academic, and school libraries - are affected. An individual library could determine the approximate impact of the cut by estimating that next year's Open Access reimbursement would be about half of the payment received this year, and estimating about a $.54 reduction in the Access Plus payment per loan.
A third option, of course, would be to make cuts to all three of the programs.
The decision about where to apply the cuts - if necessary - will likely be in the hands of the Commission of Libraries.
Another way academic libraries are affected by the proposed cuts is that a $135,000 cut to the State Library operating budget (1) pretty much eliminates our book-buying budget and (2) makes it impossible for us to purchase the test preparation database (LearningExpressLibrary) for Iowa libraries, and a lot of academic as well as public libraries have expressed interest in that database."
The complexity of Mary's explanation is due to the wide-spread cooperation between Iowa's public and academic libraries. State aid facilitates the sharing of resources. Cut that aid and a wonderful system gradually grinds to a halt.
If you agree that Direct State Aid to public libraries, Open Access, Access Plus, the State Library, and the Library Service Areas, please express your opinion to Governor Culver and ask your local legislators to restore state funding for library services to at least FY2008 levels.
Thanks for your support!
As always, please contact me with questions or suggestions: MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
"Here's a partial answer to your question about the impact of the governor's proposal budget cuts to Iowa academic libraries:
The governor's budget proposes a cut of $725,000 to the Enrich Iowa funding line. Enrich Iowa is made up of three programs: Direct State Aid (for public libraries only); Open Access; and Access Plus.
There are at least three scenarios regarding the impact of the potential cut:
IF the cut of $725,000 is taken entirely from the Direct State Aid program, the result will be a cut of approximately 75% to the Direct State Aid checks for each of the nearly 500 participating public libraries. The exact amounts are shown in the spread that you have already distributed, Mike. In this scenario, the $725,000 cut to Enrich Iowa would primarily affect public libraries and their customers.
IF the cut of $725,000 is taken entirely from the Open Access and Access Plus programs, the approximate result would be a cut in per transaction funding for Open Access from $.34 to $.18, and a cut in per transaction reimbursement for Access Plus loans from $1.75 to $1.21. (There are many variables to take into account - this is the best estimate that we can make.) In this scenario, all participants in Open Access and Access Plus - public, academic, and school libraries - are affected. An individual library could determine the approximate impact of the cut by estimating that next year's Open Access reimbursement would be about half of the payment received this year, and estimating about a $.54 reduction in the Access Plus payment per loan.
A third option, of course, would be to make cuts to all three of the programs.
The decision about where to apply the cuts - if necessary - will likely be in the hands of the Commission of Libraries.
Another way academic libraries are affected by the proposed cuts is that a $135,000 cut to the State Library operating budget (1) pretty much eliminates our book-buying budget and (2) makes it impossible for us to purchase the test preparation database (LearningExpressLibrary) for Iowa libraries, and a lot of academic as well as public libraries have expressed interest in that database."
The complexity of Mary's explanation is due to the wide-spread cooperation between Iowa's public and academic libraries. State aid facilitates the sharing of resources. Cut that aid and a wonderful system gradually grinds to a halt.
If you agree that Direct State Aid to public libraries, Open Access, Access Plus, the State Library, and the Library Service Areas, please express your opinion to Governor Culver and ask your local legislators to restore state funding for library services to at least FY2008 levels.
Thanks for your support!
As always, please contact me with questions or suggestions: MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
Monday, January 21, 2008
Building Grassroots Support
Hello--It's me again. This time I'd like to talk a bit about the need for a grassroots response to the Governor's decision to cut state spending on library services by 18% while increasing overall spending by 6%.It's one thing for the Governor to hear complaints from dozens of librarians, maybe scores of legislators. It's another thing entirely for his office to be inundated with polite questions from thousands of the more than 2 million Iowans whose access to library services is in jeopardy.
ILA President Barb Peterson has prepared a template for librarians willing to ask patrons to share their views on the budget reduction with the Governor. Download the document, open it in Word, edit the (NAME) area, insert your Enrich Iowa losses, print 'em out, chop 'em up, and you've got bookmarks.
Make it easy for patrons to express their opinions directly to the Governor. My libraries will be passing these bookmarks out at the circulation desk, and we'll be waving them under the noses of our hundreds of Internet users.
Together, we can get state funding for library services restored, and persuade the Governor that library users are worthy of his support!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Libraries do well at AEA267 Legislative Forum
Iowa's libraries were well represented at Saturday's Legislative Forum, sponsored by the Cedar Falls office of AEA267. Legislators present included Tami Wiencek, Bill Dotzler, Deb Berry, Jeff Danielson, Doris Kelly, and Bob Kressig. They got an earful about the Governor's proposed cuts to state funding for library services and all agreed that "the governor has his budget; the legislature has its budget."
Speakers on behalf of Iowa's libraries included Ken Davenport, consultant for the Northeast Iowa Library Service Area; myself, Mike Dargan, on behalf of the Iowa Library Association Government Affairs Committe; Ellen Neuhaus, ILA vice-president and president elect, and Thomas Kressler, a bibliographer for the University of Northern Iowa Rod Library.
My feeling is that we did well with the legislators who share our concerns for library services. However, now is not the time to let up on the pressure. If we're to defeat Governor Culver's proposed cuts to library services, we must continue to make our sentiments know to both the Governor and our legislators.
Governor Culver's Proposed Cuts to Enrich Iowa
It's one thing to hear that Enrich Iowa will be cut by $725,002.31, if Governor Culver's proposal for FY2009 stands. It's quite another to see the impact on particular libraries. To that end, we've prepared a spreadsheet showing precisely how much each Enrich Iowa library stands to lose: Enrich Iowa Cuts.
In all, some 480 libraries supporting local programs with Enrich Iowa money have a stake in this fight. From Ackley (-$1,203.94) to Zearing (-$1035.77), library patrons across the state will see cuts to critical services.
For example, the Waterloo (-$12,268.23) and Cedar Falls (-$7,449.04) libraries have been pooling their Enrich Iowa money to fund the Third Age Project which provides outreach services to nursing home and home-bound residents in their service areas. A 75% cut may well result in a dramatic reduction in services.
If you agree Enrich Iowa funding is worth saving, contact Governor Culver through his website form and tell him so. Or, call his office at 515.281.5211 and leave a message with his staff.
Be sure to give him examples of how Enrich Iowa cuts will hurt library patrons!
Finally, it's okay for us to be adamant, but not okay to be rude or abusive. We've got a great case, let's make it with facts and logic.
If you have questions or comments, please contact me by email: MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org.
In all, some 480 libraries supporting local programs with Enrich Iowa money have a stake in this fight. From Ackley (-$1,203.94) to Zearing (-$1035.77), library patrons across the state will see cuts to critical services.
For example, the Waterloo (-$12,268.23) and Cedar Falls (-$7,449.04) libraries have been pooling their Enrich Iowa money to fund the Third Age Project which provides outreach services to nursing home and home-bound residents in their service areas. A 75% cut may well result in a dramatic reduction in services.
If you agree Enrich Iowa funding is worth saving, contact Governor Culver through his website form and tell him so. Or, call his office at 515.281.5211 and leave a message with his staff.
Be sure to give him examples of how Enrich Iowa cuts will hurt library patrons!
Finally, it's okay for us to be adamant, but not okay to be rude or abusive. We've got a great case, let's make it with facts and logic.
If you have questions or comments, please contact me by email: MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Iowa Library Association Action Alert II
After you've contacted Governor Culver
Fellow Librarians:
Contacting the governor's office to protest cuts in library services is essential. However, it's also important that we directly contact our local legislators with our concerns. Please tell your state representative and senator, politely and respectfully, that the governor's budget cuts would devastate services to patrons of Iowa's libraries.
In the last year, 64% of your representatives' constituents held library cards and, collectively, made some 16 million visits to public libraries. Remind your legislator that libraries and library patrons are important. To find your local legislator, visit http://www.legis.state.ia.us/findleg/
Emails and phone calls are great, but there's nothing quite like face-to-face contact. There will be a legislative listening post this weekend at AEA267 in Cedar Falls this Saturday morning. I and several of my library colleagues will be there. When the time comes for the public to ask questions, we will get in line, look our representatives in the eye, and say "How could Governor Culver propose such drastic cuts to essential library services? What do you intend to do about it?"
We will, of course, be very polite and respectful!
Is there a listening post or coffee scheduled for your area? If so, please attend and share your concerns.
Below are some upcoming coffees and listening posts. If you're aware of others, please forward them to me or members@iowalibraryassociation.org
Saturday, January 19, 2008
AEA 267, 3712 Cedar Heights Drive, Cedar Falls, IA
9:30-11:30 a.m. (all area legislators)
Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue (Council Bluffs)
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (all Pottawattamie area legislators)
Washington County Courthouse (Washington)
10 a.m. to Noon (Sen. Becky Schmitz)
Luigis, 1020 S. Frederick Avenue (Oelwein)
9:30 a.m. (Sen. Brian Schoenjahn)
Cronk's Cafe (Denison)
10:00 a.m. (Sen. Jim Seymour)
After you've contacted the governor and your state senator and representative, spread the word to kindred spirits. Ask your trustees, friends, city and county officials, everyone, to email, mail, or call the Governor's office to express their concerns.
9:30-11:30 a.m. (all area legislators)
Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Avenue (Council Bluffs)
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (all Pottawattamie area legislators)
Washington County Courthouse (Washington)
10 a.m. to Noon (Sen. Becky Schmitz)
Luigis, 1020 S. Frederick Avenue (Oelwein)
9:30 a.m. (Sen. Brian Schoenjahn)
Cronk's Cafe (Denison)
10:00 a.m. (Sen. Jim Seymour)
After you've contacted the governor and your state senator and representative, spread the word to kindred spirits. Ask your trustees, friends, city and county officials, everyone, to email, mail, or call the Governor's office to express their concerns.
Thank-you for your support. Please contact me with questions and suggestions.
Michael J. Dargan
GAC Chairman, Iowa Library Association
319 833 9118
mailto:dargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
GAC Chairman, Iowa Library Association
319 833 9118
mailto:dargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
Iowa Library Association Action Alert I
Fellow Librarians:
Bad news for Iowa’s Libraries: The governor’s FY 2009 budget proposal cuts state library funding by 18%! That’s $1,119,442! Should this proposal stand, the following programs or agencies will see cuts: State Library, $135,000; Library Service Areas, $259,442; and Enrich Iowa $725,000.
If we’re to avoid a massive funding cut that would result in devastating reductions in services to Iowa’s library patrons, we must act promptly and thoughtfully. As the Iowa Library Association Government Affairs Committee chairman, I therefore request that you immediately contact Governor Culver’s office to express your concerns: chet.culver@iowa.gov or 515 281 5211.
Let’s be adamant, yet polite. When contacting Governor Culver, I suggest that you first thank him for his past support of education. Then, politely remind him that Iowa’s libraries are a key component of our education system. School libraries teach Iowa’s students to locate and evaluate information. Libraries are the intellectual core of colleges and universities. And public libraries provide community-based opportunities for life-long learning. They provide homework support for students whether they’re K-12 or college level, and are an important resource for Iowans seeking skills for better jobs or information about health, finance, parenting, and more.
Examples that support your assertions can be very effective. After you’ve contacted the governor, ask your trustees, friends, city and county officials, everyone, to email, mail, or call the Governor’s office to express their concerns.
Thank-you for your support. Please contact me with questions and suggestions.
Michael J. Dargan
GAC Chairman, Iowa Library Association
319 833 9118
MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
Bad news for Iowa’s Libraries: The governor’s FY 2009 budget proposal cuts state library funding by 18%! That’s $1,119,442! Should this proposal stand, the following programs or agencies will see cuts: State Library, $135,000; Library Service Areas, $259,442; and Enrich Iowa $725,000.
If we’re to avoid a massive funding cut that would result in devastating reductions in services to Iowa’s library patrons, we must act promptly and thoughtfully. As the Iowa Library Association Government Affairs Committee chairman, I therefore request that you immediately contact Governor Culver’s office to express your concerns: chet.culver@iowa.gov or 515 281 5211.
Let’s be adamant, yet polite. When contacting Governor Culver, I suggest that you first thank him for his past support of education. Then, politely remind him that Iowa’s libraries are a key component of our education system. School libraries teach Iowa’s students to locate and evaluate information. Libraries are the intellectual core of colleges and universities. And public libraries provide community-based opportunities for life-long learning. They provide homework support for students whether they’re K-12 or college level, and are an important resource for Iowans seeking skills for better jobs or information about health, finance, parenting, and more.
Examples that support your assertions can be very effective. After you’ve contacted the governor, ask your trustees, friends, city and county officials, everyone, to email, mail, or call the Governor’s office to express their concerns.
Thank-you for your support. Please contact me with questions and suggestions.
Michael J. Dargan
GAC Chairman, Iowa Library Association
319 833 9118
MikeDargan@iowalibraryassociation.org
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