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.

 

 

The post For National Library Week (April 11-17):Jersey City Free Public Library Conducts Postcard Campaign to Save NJ Libraries! first appeared on River View Observer.

Monday, December 7 – Saturday, December 12, 2009

 Monday, December 14 – Saturday, December 19, 2009

 Feeling that pinch, from lack of funds? In mid-December, the Jersey City Free Public Library will offer a break in the form of Fine Amnesty to all Library users.   

For only two weeks – Monday, December 7^th through Saturday, December 12^th AND Monday, December 14^th through Saturday, December 19^th  – all fees and fines will be forgiven when the library system receives all library books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes and other library materials.

            “We recognize the money squeeze everyone is feeling these days, so we’ve created this two-week amnesty period for our loyal patrons to get some relief,” said Assistant Library Director Sonia Araujo, who is coordinating this effort. “Offering Fine Amnesty first is the best solution we know, in the face of needing to raise fees because of budget cuts.”

Valid Jersey City library card users can take their library materials to all departments at the Main Library, and any of the 11 branches and the Bookmobile the weeks of December 7^th and December 14^th without being charged the appropriate fees and fines during Fine Amnesty weeks. After those two amnesty weeks,

the following Fines/Fees will be in effect on Monday, January 4, 2010:

 

Books/Late Fees         CHANGE       FROM              TO

Overdue books                                                 $0.10              $0.20

 

Videos                         CHANGE       FROM              TO

 To rent                                                            $1.50              $2.00

 Late Fees stay the same                                             $1.00

 Educational videos stay the same                     Free

 

Copy Machines           CHANGE       FROM               TO

Copies                                                 $0.10              $0.20

The post Library Gives Patrons 2 Weeks in December for Fine Amnesty first appeared on River View Observer.