Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeLegislature should act to save our state library
Pat Lantz
Special to the Gateway
An open letter to my legislative colleagues in support of the state library: Not for a moment do I think your job is easy, having to balance all the competing needs in a tough economy. Nevertheless, I want to make my plea for an institution that I feel is the backbone of an informed democratic society. I am talking about the state library and its possible death knell in the proposed budget.
Gov. Christine Gregoire proposes a $2 million budget cut. This cut is even more draconian than it appears. It could result in the library being unable to meet the Maintenance of Effort requirement of the Federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and thus jeopardize $3.5 million in federal funds — “penny-wise, pound foolish.”
To be eligible for the match, the library needs nearly $1 million of the governor’s cut restored. If the final budget fails to do that and cuts are even deeper, the institution is unsustainable, in my view.
I can’t tell you how sad this makes me.
The state library was the first institution that Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens established in 1853. His original collection is a cultural legacy uniquely entrusted to the state library, which itself is tangible evidence of our state’s foundational commitment to literacy, culture, history and an informed citizenry.
Even during the Great Depression, state government saw the merit in supporting the values the state library embraces. Funding was actually increased at that difficult time.
The library has endured substantial cuts in funding since the 1999-2001 biennium. It was rescued from elimination only when an agreement was struck to transfer it to the Office of Secretary of State under reduced size and scope.
It was a battle for survival, and as a legislator, I fought vigorously to keep what we could.
The library moved to Tumwater into a leased building with ever-increasing overhead costs. Since then, it has essentially lost more than one-third of its budget, while the Consumer Price Index has gone up one one-third.
The result has been a steady reduction of staff and services. The governor’s newest proposed cuts would drive staffing down more than 50 percent from 1999-2001 levels.
What will we lose besides the demise of a most valued iconic institution if the library goes under?
First, the library continues to digitize resources that put priceless historic documents and materials in reach of the people across the state every day. The library has preserved and put online pioneer newspapers, historic journals, letters, maps and genealogy records, drawing millions of users. The library is the keeper of our state’s story.
The library provides vital services to the state’s most vulnerable populations. It maintains branches in our mental hospitals and prisons, providing re-entry, educational and recreational library services. The Washington Talking Book and Braille Library serves thousands, exceptionally well.
The state library has created excellent statewide online resources for the unemployed or people with special needs. Users find useful information on unemployment, housing, homelessness, health and finances. Additional resources serve people with disabilities, veterans and Spanish-speakers, plus specialized resources in partnership with the Early Learning community.
Demand for state library service is growing exponentially, including help for our library districts throughout Washington, which also are experiencing a surge in usage. In tough times, we need resources that are timely, tailored to need and readily available in varied formats.
The state library is remarkably agile in rising to the challenge. Loss of federal dollars would seriously injure library districts across the state.
Libraries are a vital resource, and a favorite of the taxpayers, and the state library plays a special role. I urgently request you to protect the library from crippling cuts as we all await the economic recovery around the corner!