Attention, everyone!
This is me testing the mic, whistling, waving my arms in the air … trying desperately to get your attention.
Our local libraries need our help – NOW. The preliminary state budget for 2012-2013 proposes a 99 percent cut in library funding and a 93 percent cut to library resource sharing programs. If this budget is approved, every library in the county will be affected. The TexShare databases will not be available, the entire interlibrary loan program will be eliminated and valuable regional library systems that provide support to community libraries will no longer exist.
Librarians agree these budget cuts would set libraries back an entire generation.
They are asking that you do two things:
1. Visit your local library and fill out a card with your name, address and why the library is important to you before Feb. 14. These cards will be delivered by librarians Cecilia Barham and Megan Suffling to Rep. Phil King and Sen. Craig Estes on Library Legislative Day, Feb. 16.
2. Write letters explaining why libraries are important to our communities and send them to King at P.O. Box 2910 in Austin, TX 78768 and Estes at P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, TX 78711.
Letters are welcome from all ages, so gather the family around the kitchen table this weekend and detail the reasons you love your library. For more information, read “Libraries face major cuts in services” in the Sunday, Jan. 30, edition of the Wise County Messenger.