As PA Legislators continue to debate what to cut, library funding is again on the block, this time it is the Powerport database used by both libraries and schools.
“While much of our energy has focused on the Public Library Subsidy, other important library programs such as POWER Library, the Access PA Database, and Ask Here PA, are under attack, too, and may face elimination,” wrote Glenn R. Miller, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Library Association.
The association has created an online tool to help residents express their support of these programs by completing a form that is sent to the Governor and Legislators.
Hard economic times are when residents need and rely on libraries more than ever. Want to cut something? How about all the printed material that elected officials put their name and address all over and hand out? They will argue it is critical to informing residents of services, but really it is a way to promote themselves using tax dollars. How many maps did they print last year? Not only is this a waste of tax dollars, it is hardly environmentally friendly. When was the last time you actually used a state printed map? Between GPS devices and Google Maps there is hardly a need. There are plenty more examples like this, but since they benefit elected officials they will never be cut, instead they’ll cut services that don’t personally benefit them, but are actually used by the people.
Take a moment and complete the form – it is available here.
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