LIBRARIES ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

Rundel Memorial Library Building (circa 1935)

Rochester, New York

Rochester, N.Y.--  In a May 1936 article in the Rochester Gas and Electric News, author Landis S. Smith asked, "What does the word library mean to you? Does it mean a stuffy silent place where bookworms gather the dust of ages? Well, if it does you’re sure not keeping up with the times…Snap out of it, Brother…Wake up and live! You’re missing a lot."

Smith was referring to the imminent opening of the Rundel Memorial Building on South Avenue, which eventually became the home of the Central Library of Rochester and the Monroe County Library System. The cornerstone for the building (which reads 1934) was laid on June 15, 1935 in a ceremony officiated by Mayor Charles Stanton.  The building was dedicated on October 4, 1936, but its arrival was long awaited in the city.

During the Great Depression, one of the priorities of the federal Works Progress Administration was to build and staff libraries. This stimulated the economy, created jobs and helped educate the nation.  There are hundreds of library workers represented by CSEA in Monroe County and the City of Rochester.

Unfortunately, the lessons of the past are not being replayed in our current recession. President  Obama's proposed budget freezes all federal Library Services and Technology Act funds at this year’s level of $214 million. Many education programs and initiatives are being eliminated completely and support for school libraries and school librarians is being minimized with greater focus on other programs. The pressure is on to include library staff in the “Jobs” bill about to be introduced in the Senate. We hope this will prove successful in creating new employment opportunities for library staff.

New York State Aid for Libraries:
 
For the fifth time in two years, another cut has been proposed for the 25 state aid to libraries programs in the state budget. The Executive Budget Proposal, which includes an additional 2.8% cut, is now one of the many items being discussed in the legislature as the deliberative process works towards the April 1st deadline for the new budget and the start of the new fiscal year. This additional cut, if it comes to fruition, means that State Aid for Libraries would be $18 million or 18% less than it was in 2007-2008.

In context, it should be noted that state aid to schools is proposed for a 5% cut in funding after multiple years of funding increases. Funding for many other programs is left untouched. The library commuity has been persistent in telling all who will listen that these cuts, if enacted, will result in layoffs, branch closures and reductions in services and service hours.

The cuts to public and school library systems and reference and research library resources systems will mean less for databases and materials, reduced interlibrary loan and delivery, challenged technology services, and less support for specialized services for youth, seniors, speakers of English as a second language, the blind and disabled, the unemployed and the incarcerated.

If any of these impacts are being considered by your libraries or systems, pick up the phone today and call a legislator to convey your story. State and County legislators will be making difficult choices. Sending them your personal testimony might help them make wise choices.  Ask yourself this question:  Do you want to live in a community without a library?