Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Final PA State Budget Passes in House - Senate Approval Expected
I received this in my PADLC listserv this morning from Glenn Miller, Executive Director of Pa LA. I appreciate his positive tone, but what a slash to library funding in our state of Pennsylvania. I hate to see what's coming out of this. Reposting here:
"Good morning, faithful library advocates
On the eve of Day 100 of the state budget impasse, a deal has been sealed…finally and without any further significant changes. The State House debated the final deal last night and passed it by a vote of 107-93. Easy passage in the Senate is expected since both Republicans and Democrats there already have signaled their support. The final Senate vote could occur Thursday evening or Friday. The Governor will sign the budget soon thereafter.
At some later point, we can re-hash the excruciating details of this never-ending roller-coaster of a budget. For now, I know that people are anxious to have the specifics, so here they are:
(Click picture for a larger view)
I hardly know where to begin to describe all this. I know that these end results will not be pleasant at all for library staff, for services, and for library users. At the same time, I also know we recognize—all of us—that this is the worst economy in Pennsylvania since the Great Depression and that state coffers lost a mind-numbing $3.2 billion in revenue just this past year.
We will work with Deputy Secretary Clare Zales to try and minimize the damage to statewide programs and begin planning to rebuild services and funding. The hit to the Public Library Subsidy was bad but not as severe as it could have been. We will also work with Clare Zales to see if it possible to accelerate the payment dates for state aid.
Looking at the big picture can be dangerous because it tends to mask the real pain of specific program cuts. Nevertheless, it is fair to note that during the eight months of this year’s budget roller coaster, our overall funding levels ranged from a potential highest total (all programs) of $81 million (Rendell/House Democratic plan) to a potential lowest total (all programs) of $42 million (Senate Republican plan.) In the end, fortunately, our overall funding of $68 million ended much closer to the higher number than the lower.
There is no doubt in my mind that the outcome would have been much, much worse had it not been for your relentless, positive, and articulate advocacy on behalf of your library and your community. We know that legislators heard our voices even in the face of this budget’s tidal wave of red ink. I realize that it may not feel like it right now, but your advocacy made a huge, positive difference. Thank you seems wholly inadequate.
But think about this: every program that we saved, every job that can be retained, and every budget dollar that was secured during this struggle puts us further down the road toward recovering from this recession-ravaged budget year.
Again, I truly appreciate all of your great and ceaseless efforts. Let’s do our best to rest some and recover and re-energize ourselves for better days ahead.
Glenn R. Miller
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Library Association"
"Good morning, faithful library advocates
On the eve of Day 100 of the state budget impasse, a deal has been sealed…finally and without any further significant changes. The State House debated the final deal last night and passed it by a vote of 107-93. Easy passage in the Senate is expected since both Republicans and Democrats there already have signaled their support. The final Senate vote could occur Thursday evening or Friday. The Governor will sign the budget soon thereafter.
At some later point, we can re-hash the excruciating details of this never-ending roller-coaster of a budget. For now, I know that people are anxious to have the specifics, so here they are:
(Click picture for a larger view)
I hardly know where to begin to describe all this. I know that these end results will not be pleasant at all for library staff, for services, and for library users. At the same time, I also know we recognize—all of us—that this is the worst economy in Pennsylvania since the Great Depression and that state coffers lost a mind-numbing $3.2 billion in revenue just this past year.
We will work with Deputy Secretary Clare Zales to try and minimize the damage to statewide programs and begin planning to rebuild services and funding. The hit to the Public Library Subsidy was bad but not as severe as it could have been. We will also work with Clare Zales to see if it possible to accelerate the payment dates for state aid.
Looking at the big picture can be dangerous because it tends to mask the real pain of specific program cuts. Nevertheless, it is fair to note that during the eight months of this year’s budget roller coaster, our overall funding levels ranged from a potential highest total (all programs) of $81 million (Rendell/House Democratic plan) to a potential lowest total (all programs) of $42 million (Senate Republican plan.) In the end, fortunately, our overall funding of $68 million ended much closer to the higher number than the lower.
There is no doubt in my mind that the outcome would have been much, much worse had it not been for your relentless, positive, and articulate advocacy on behalf of your library and your community. We know that legislators heard our voices even in the face of this budget’s tidal wave of red ink. I realize that it may not feel like it right now, but your advocacy made a huge, positive difference. Thank you seems wholly inadequate.
But think about this: every program that we saved, every job that can be retained, and every budget dollar that was secured during this struggle puts us further down the road toward recovering from this recession-ravaged budget year.
Again, I truly appreciate all of your great and ceaseless efforts. Let’s do our best to rest some and recover and re-energize ourselves for better days ahead.
Glenn R. Miller
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Library Association"
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Google Celebrates the 57th Anniversary of the First Barcode Patent
Where would we be without the barcode? It's everywhere! Especially if you work in a library. I was a little confused when I opened my Firefox browser this morning. My home page points to Google and this is what I saw:
I found a great post on the horizons blog! which gives a good summary of what Google is celebrating today. Go read it :-) And yes, that really does say Google using code 128 according to TechCrunch.
I found a great post on the horizons blog! which gives a good summary of what Google is celebrating today. Go read it :-) And yes, that really does say Google using code 128 according to TechCrunch.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Library 101 - the Final Lyrics
Michael Porter and David Lee King are almost done with their Library 101 Project. I can't wait to see the final web site. Read all about this at Libraryman and help out by submitting an essay!
23 Free Webinars for Nonprofits - October 2009
See my post on ALA Learning to get all of the details.
Barnes and Nobile Book Fair at Manheim Twp Pub Library
Katrina Anderson, Director of Manheim Township Public Library, sent out the following request:
"Please help support Manheim Township Public Library by spreading the word
about our upcoming Barnes and Noble Book Fair.
On Saturday, October 10th, all day, if anyone goes into their local Barnes and Noble, anywhere across the country, and mentions that they want their purchase to benefit the Manheim Twp Public Library in Lancaster, PA, B&N will donate 10% of the net sale to our library. Please ask all your friends and relatives to do their holiday book shopping at B&N on that date, where ever they are. I’m
sure you have robust e-mail lists that you could use to help us spread the word.
Barry Levine will be at B&N- Lancaster on Saturday from 12:30 -4 :00 pm
signing his new photo-journal, The Woodstock Story Book, and on Sunday, Fall Fest, he will present a slideshow and program at the twp administration bldg at 1840
Municipal Drive, Lancaster.
Thanks for helping to spread the word about our Book Fair."
"Please help support Manheim Township Public Library by spreading the word
about our upcoming Barnes and Noble Book Fair.
On Saturday, October 10th, all day, if anyone goes into their local Barnes and Noble, anywhere across the country, and mentions that they want their purchase to benefit the Manheim Twp Public Library in Lancaster, PA, B&N will donate 10% of the net sale to our library. Please ask all your friends and relatives to do their holiday book shopping at B&N on that date, where ever they are. I’m
sure you have robust e-mail lists that you could use to help us spread the word.
Barry Levine will be at B&N- Lancaster on Saturday from 12:30 -4 :00 pm
signing his new photo-journal, The Woodstock Story Book, and on Sunday, Fall Fest, he will present a slideshow and program at the twp administration bldg at 1840
Municipal Drive, Lancaster.
Thanks for helping to spread the word about our Book Fair."
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