Have you visited a library recently?  170,000 people use NJ libraries every day. New Bill A-2555  could eliminate certain programs and cause Libraries in NJ to close. 

Read how you can help keep them open.

  JERSEY CITY, NJ  April 8, 2010 – With a postcard geared to the NJ State Assembly, residents and library supporters in Jersey City can make their voices heard regarding the Draconian cuts proposed for the New Jersey State Library, and learn how local funding for all public libraries may be eliminated forever. Postcards are available now at the Main Library, 10 branches and the Bookmobile. The postcard reads: The Governor’s proposed budget cuts library funding by 74%.  This cut: ELIMINATES Internet access and electronic journals in hundreds of libraries ELIMINATES the delivery of materials from other libraries to you – more than 3 million items in 2009  ELIMINATES 50% of State Aid to public libraries  Loss of these programs will put more pressure on local property taxes. Proposed legislation A2555 will ELIMINATE minimum funding for libraries and will result in fewer books, fewer hours and fewer services and will cause some libraries to close.  More than 170,000 people in NJ use libraries every day.  I’m one of them.  Restore $10.4 million in library funding and oppose A2555.         

If the budget for the State Library is decreased by nearly three-quarters, then the Jersey City Free Public Library, along with all others in New Jersey, would lose the following free services on July 1^st

(FY 2011): online databases (EBSCO host & RefUSA), group contracts (which bring down other electronic resources costs),

interlibrary loan and delivery of other library materials (provided by the Eastern NJ regional library cooperative INFOLINK). With this major funding loss, all four regional library cooperatives – Central Jersey, South Jersey, Highlands & INFOLINK -  would cease to exist.

            The bill, A-2555, calls for the elimination of the 1/3 mill, which has served as public library baseline funding since free public libraries have been legislated in New Jersey over 100 years ago. One-third mill is the equalized valuation times .000333333.

            “It’s hard to believe that members of the NJ Legislature can’t support their local public libraries with minimum funding equal to a third of penny, when more people than ever rely on their local libraries in times of job search, free or low-cost entertainment, and in guiding children as productive citizens,” said Library Director Priscilla Gardner, who stands by the ALA National Library Week theme of “Communities Thrive @ your Library.”

            There are other ways to show support for New Jersey’s libraries, as well: 1) Join the Facebook Group, Save NJ Libraries! 2) Become a NJ Library Champion, http://www.ILoveNJLibraries.org, and 3) Checking out the website, http://www.SaveMyNJLibrary.org. The Save My NJ Library website, created by the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA), gives all current information on the fight to save NJ libraries, and tips on library issues advocacy.

            This information is also conveniently available on the website of the Jersey City Free Public Library: http://www.jclibrary.org/libinfo/ilovelibraries.php.

            All signed postcards will be delivered to the NJ Assembly through the NJLA, so supporters signing at the Jersey City Free Public Library won’t have to individually mail them.