Mountain Climbing in PA

I love mountains! And once you've seen the Rocky Mountains, it is hard to call what we have in Pennsylvania anything but "hills". Yes, PA is beautiful (hills & valleys), but there is nothing like Pikes Peak or the 14'ers region.

But, I would have to admit that my love of mountains is limited to the ones created by forces of nature...not the man made mountains.

As far as "man-made" mountains goes, Pennsylvania by far has the greatest! And each year the climb is longer, higher and steeper. This year's climb is the hardest yet!

Evidence exists EVERYWHERE that libraries are busier than ever in the failing economy. News stories have been in print, at both the national and state level. All three of the major television networks have done reports from busy public libraries. Statistics will prove that foot traffic and usage has went up. Public libraries have become the hub for online resources that have replaced physical support locations eliminated by the state in order to "save money". Stay-cationers are attending programs, enrolling their children in summer sessions, checking out free entertainment materials (dvd's, audiobooks, games), attending family programs. Job seekers inhabit the libraries scouring resources, updating resumes, seeking assistance from information professionals that can help guide them.

The line item in the state budget that supports the statewide system of libraries is "pocket change" compared to the deficit and the overall line item that is the Department of Education. For ONE THIRD OF ONE PERCENT--public libraries and the statewide resources available to taxpayers are not only a bargain, but the "best" thing about PA. That's right: Pennsylvania's libraries and the state-wide resources available to residents are the best thing about Pennsylvania! LIBRARIES are Pennsylvania's "bright shiny object".

The current budget deficit of 3 BILLION dollars will not be balanced by decimating the state's entire system of public libraries. But, that is exactly what is being proposed by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Libraries are part of the solution. Libraries guarantee that a quaility of life can exist in communities as small as Marianna or as large as Washington.

The complete elimination of our statewide programs (ACCESS, POWER and the inter-library loan delivery network AS WELL AS the 24/7 online reference ASK HERE PA) in addition to our Keystone Funds (used for renovation, additions, ADA compliance)as well as the 50% slashes in both state aid to libraries AND operational support for the state library will have an irreversible, devastating effect on Pennsylvania. This will be our "tipping point".

LEVEL FUNDING is the key to our existence right now. Please mobilize your boards, volunteers, Friends, community partners, users, homeschoolers, job seekers, program attendees...

Visit www.palibraries.org for Advocacy information and talking points. Encourage hand-written notes & letters, phone calls, visits. (And, as always, it is important that we take the "higher road"--keeping correspondence and advocacy "respectful, passionate and personal".)

If you enjoy "scary stories", here's one even Stephen King wouldn't put to paper: try imagining what your community is going to be like without its public library...