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This
budget shows a 99% decrease in state funding for
statewide local library aid programs and a 93% state cut
to library resource sharing programs at the State
Library. Overall, the agency cuts amount to about a 70%
cut in state funds and an all funds reduction about a
third of the agency's budget.
From the
perspective of investing in communities, helping kids
learn, spurring job placement, and maintaining a dynamic
infrastructure for research and digital literacy through
our libraries, this budget completely fails the people
of Texas. The proposed recommendations amount to an
abdication of responsibility, vision, and
leadership.
For
libraries, these recommendations not only potentially
destroy almost every facet of critical statewide library
services; they speak to a philosophy dismissive of
supporting individuals and communities.
While
this budget is just the starting point for
deliberations, it is a frightening portent of the
potential implosion of our state's infrastructure for
learning and economic development.
We must
not let this stand. It is not just our funding over the
next two years that is in danger -- it is the vital
understanding of libraries and their role in offering
education, providing meaningful and proven support to
our economy and institutions of learning, and speaking
to a state of vitality.
We
need everyone to speak out for libraries. We need every
library supporter to inundate their state representative
and senator, the Governor, and the Lt. Governor with
letters expressing the incredible damage these cuts
would cause.We have a long and hard fight ahead of us,
but it is one we must
undertake. | 
