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TagsProposal increases funding by $4.3 million
The news just got a little better for the large number of New Jersey library patrons. Under a compromise reached earlier this week, state officials said the latest proposed 2011 state budget would restore $4.299 million in funds for New Jersey's 304 libraries.
Governor Christie's budget proposal in March would have cut library funding by $10.4 million, or 74 percent. These cuts have threatened access to databases that residents use for magazine and journal articles, homework assistance, and research, along with e-mail capability.
Executive director of the New Jersey Library Association Pat Tumulty said the extra funding will allow libraries to continue offering Internet access, sharing materials through interlibrary loans and purchasing academic databases for library users.
Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-1, told The Daily Journal the small amount of money saved under the proposed cuts would not be worth the impact of the lost services. "Obviously things are tough and cuts have to be made," he said. "When it comes to smaller amounts of money we were able to find it."Irene Percelli, director of the Millville Public Library said she hopes to keep the local CLUES program intact, which links all Cumberland County libraries and allows them to share materials. "We can breathe a sigh of relief", she told the Journal, "but it doesn't mean it won't happen again next year."
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said the state is using money for the library funding that it saved by not merging Thomas Edison State College with Rutgers University.
— BOB HOLT, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
