March 1, 2012-- The Governor has released his proposed 2012-13 Executive
Budget and has kept Library Aid funding flat at last year's final level of $79
million (including the $3 million restored by the Legislature) and has also
included $14 million in Public Library Construction funds.
In addition, School Aid (as promised by the Governor
earlier) has been allocated a 4% increase or $805 million in additional funding
to $20.3 billion (30% of state general fund). The caveat is that the
increased aid is tied to school districts adopting the new teacher evaluation
process.
CUNY and SUNY also receive same amount of general fund
support as last year with the authority to spend the additional tuition
increases ($113.2 million for SUNY and $66.6 million for CUNY).
Community colleges were also held at last year's levels
of $2,122 per student reimbursement. Adult Literacy Education (ALE) funding was also flat with
last year at $4.2 million.
State Aid for libraries represents less than one tenth of
one percent of the state budget. Library use is up dramatically throughout the
state.
A 2011 survey shows that 98% of libraries in New York
State have helped someone find a job in the last 3 months and 85% have helped taxpayers
access public assistance.
No other state funded institution serves so many
residents (over 75% of New York households) with so little state funding.
Monroe County Library System
MCLS circulated over 8.5 million items in 2010. An
estimated 4 million people walked through the doors of Monroe County Libraries.
Other MCLS Statistics
•
8.5 million items circulated
•
4,000,000 items shipped
•
330,000 item holds
•
40,000 kids in our summer reading programs
• E-Books-- MCLS circulated 26,129 downloadable
electronic/audio books in 2009. One year later, that number increased to
43,119. In 2011, the number skyrocketed to 110,438.
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