Financial Downturn Hits Libraries

The financial problems of the nation are expected to have a direct impact on tax revenues at all government levels.  In New York State the problem includes the loss of jobs in the financial sector, a major source of employment.  Dutchess County will be hit not only by the loss of income from sales tax as retail spending goes down, but also by loss of income from fees associated with home sales.

At the New York State level, the quest for reduction in expenses as a result of the loss of revenue may or may not include lowering of support for libraries.  Governor Patterson proposed a 21% cut in library funding but the legislature has not so far gone along with Patterson's cuts.  This story is not over, however.  If a reduction does not come for this fiscal year, one is very likely next year.  Members of the New York Library Association (NYLA) have been lobbying Albany to preserve funding for libraries, but they are competing with lobbies from every sector of the economy and the chances are good that there will be some reduction in state funds either this year or next (more likely both). 

Here in Dutchess County, the Executive, Bill Steinhaus, recommends an even more drastic cut--he wants to reduce County  library support by 65%.  

Library fans argue that any cut in support leads to a cut in services, which is counterproductive.  Library use increases during times of financial stress. What's more, studies show that for every $2 spent on libraries, they deliver services worth $7. 

One way to let Mr. Steinhaus and the County Legislators know that you oppose his plan for a drastic cutback in funding is to sign this petition. (As always, clicking on an underlined word in colored type will take you directly to a Web site.) 

Although our libraries, including the Pleasant Valley Free Library, operate primarily with funds raised locally--at the Town level--the State and Country funds are essential to maintenance of the networks, such as the Mid-Hudson Libraries, that make today's libraries the great resource they are. Furthermore, although only a small amount of State and County funding trickles down to local levels, it would leave a hole in local library budgets that would be difficult to fill with fundraising events or increased fines.