State Funds Update: Each month, the check will be in the mail…

Today, library directors across the state of PA received a letter from Secretary Gluck regarding the distribution of state funds to public libraries.

Here’s a brief quote:
“If the FMAP funding extension is not authorized by Congress, all state line items in the recently passed budget are vulnerable to cuts, including the public library subsidy. Because of this possibility, the public library subsidy will be paid out in the amount of one-twelfth (1/12) of the total amount of the enacted appropriation per month. This will allow for a budget reserve or reduction in 2010 -2011 enacted budget levels, if ultimately necessary.
Congress is considering the FMAP allocation this week (House of Representatives) and next week (Senate) and there is still time for you to communicate with your representatives and senators about the importance of the FMAP extension to Pennsylvania’s budget. You can find contact information for your senator and representative at http://www.usa.gov/Contact/US_Congress.shtml.”

Read more about PA’s changes to state funding for libraries in the convenient comparison chart here: http://pala.affiniscape.com/associations/9291/files/2008-09-10%20state%20budgets%20compared.pdf .

Want to know more? Here’s a state budget policy site with some more information about FMAP funds: http://www.pennbpc.org/FMAP-congressional-district For even more information, ask your reference librarian to do some research so you can have an informed opinion backed up by credible facts to share with the community about how this will effect your budget planning.

For those directors or trustees in the district who want to talk about budget planning for the coming year, contact your consultant.

Keep motivated and focused on delivering necessary services to your customers. Keep focused on ways you can show the positive impact of having strong public library service in your community. Impact stories and real outcomes will be useful tools to demonstrate the great return on government dollars invested in strong information and resources sharing services.