Tomorrow, April 6, Friends of The Seattle Public Library will attend the first of three meetings at City Council chambers asking Councilmembers to preserve library funding. We’ll meet at 10 am at City Hall. Won’t you join us? Your presence matters. RSVP: advocacy@friendsofspl.org If you can’t join us tomorrow then perhaps the meetings on the 13th or 20th would work. If these aren’t possible please email Councilmembers and ask them to preserve library funding. jean.godden@seattle.gov, richard.mciver@seattle.gov, bruce.harrell@seattle.gov, sally.clark@seattle.gov, tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov, jan.drago@seattle.gov, nick.licata@seattle.gov, tim.burgess@seattle.gov, richard.conlin@seattle.gov
Ianne’s testimony to City Council April 1, 2009
My branch is Capitol Hill. Thank you for your terrific support of our library.
Our library usage has sharply increased. Our 14 computers are harder to reserve. Tables are full of personal laptops connected to the library’s free internet service.
I realized what was happening when I walked past a computer and the large banner of an online Unemployment Insurance Form caught my eye. A man in his mid 40′s was filling out the form, in the middle of the library. A woman with a young child on her lap searched a web page of children’s clothing, 50 to 70% off. One day, a college age woman’s resume got my attention; it was blue, her name was bright red. Another day, a very senior citizen was reading the Mariners’ summer jobs press release.
Connecting the dots: Jobs are advertised on line and applications are submitted on line. Those with no computer or internet service at home are stuck. They’re cut off.
Today’s library is part of our social safety net. It’s the only place critical resources are available to all.
Please continue your support.
Please email Councilmember’s today asking them to preserve the library budget. Libraries are essential. Your voice makes a difference. Councilmember emails: jean.godden@seattle.gov, richard.mciver@seattle.gov, bruce.harrell@seattle.gov, sally.clark@seattle.gov, tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov, jan.drago@seattle.gov, nick.licata@seattle.gov, tim.burgess@seattle.gov, richard.conlin@seattle.gov
Tony Talks Budget March 27, 2009
Tony waits to sign in 3/26
Here are Tony’s complete remarks from the March 26th Budget Hearing at Seattle City Council Chambers. We hope you’ll consider joining us at the next meeting: April 6 at 10:30 a.m. Your presence matters! RSVP advocacy@friendsofspl.org Keep checking this blog for updates on the library and library budget.
Tony’s Testimony:
I live in the Ravenna/Wedgwood neighborhood and I am with the Friends of the Seattle Public Library.
I want to thank you all for your support of the Seattle Public Library and ask you to preserve the current level of budgeted funding.
The Library is an important community lifeline for the residents of this city. The exploding use of the Library’s programs, resources and services has far exceeded every expectation. In this current economic climate, the Library has also become an integral part of the City’s safety net, providing all citizens with access to information and computer services that link them to city, state and federal agencies and programs. Everyone is familiar with examples of how the Library is doing more for all groups, the displaced, the unemployed, new citizens, as well as all struggling individuals, families and children.
The Library — through its Central location, community branches, and online presence — is experiencing more demands for facilities, resources and services than can be reasonably met with a reduction in funding. The Library already makes extensive use of volunteer groups to assist the professional staff in meeting these demands. And the Library receives financial support through donations from individuals and groups to help to pay for the resources and services it provides.
This unique public/private partnership came to fruition with the successful completion of Libraries For All. Citizens voted for and provided the additional financial support required to re-build and re-energize the Library. They are depending on the City to maintain its materials and operation.
For a City department, the Library is unique for the significant amount of its overall revenue base that comes from donations. Since it already operates with a very lean budget, and donations are not expected to keep pace with past years, any reduction in funding of the Library, may force drastic cuts in services.
I ask you to consider the needs of the entire community when considering a reduction in the Library’s budget. The Library is an invaluable part of the community, a product of the investment made jointly by the city and its citizens. This investment, unlike many others, has not lost its value and is still paying dividends. Now, more than ever, the Library is essential to the lives and well being of every Seattle resident.
Thank you.
Strong Libraries Rely On Strong Support November 11, 2008
Mayor Nickels at Central
We’re lucky we live in a city with strong Council and Mayoral support for libraries. Our newly expanded library system is healthy and vibrant this year. Library use is up 158% since the expansion. In neighborhoods across the city people are accessing a variety of resources: jobseeking info, computers and wi-fi, ESL classes, storytime, books, dvds, academic support. In hard economic times our libraries are needed more than ever to provide resources that families and individuals can no longer afford.
Other cities are facing less support and worse economic circumstances. On November 7 the Philadelphia Enquirer reported the proposed closure of 11 of 54 branch libraries. In August, the mayor of Long Beach, California proposed closing the downtown library. Author Ray Bradbury, among others, is leading the outcry.
The proposed Seattle City Budget continues to experience new shortfalls. Wed, Thurs, and Friday of this week Councilmembers will discuss the rebalanced proposed City budget. Councilmembers Nick Licata, Richard Conlin, and Tim Burgess filed a “Green Sheet” requesting the addition of $800,000 to the library’s proposed collections budget in 2009 and 2010. Friends of The Seattle Public Library support this increase. The increase brings the library’s collections budget nearer the library’s projected need for 2009. Please join us in emailing support this week. Your email can be very short and simple. For example:
Dear Councilmember,
I support Councilmember Licata’s proposed increase to the Library collections budget.
Thank you.
Have a question or want to help advocacy in other ways? advocacy@splfriends.org
Budget Round 1 November 6, 2008
Councilmember Licata
Seattle City Council discussed Councilmember Nick Licata’s proposed increase of 800,000 to both 2009 and 2010 proposed library collections budgets on Monday, November 3, 2008. According to the Councilmember’s legislative aide, Frank Video, there seemed to be broad based Council support for this proposal. A final vote is pending. Your continued emails in support of Councilmember Licata’s proposal are still needed and will be needed until Council votes. Your email can be very short and simple. For example:
Dear Councilmember,
I support Councilmember Licata’s proposed increase to the Library collections budget.
Thank you.
Friends of The Seattle Public Library asked Councilmember Licata why he felt that libraries are so important to support this year. He said, ”In the rough waters of our economy, The Seattle Public Library is a life raft for those needing free internet access to submit resumes for employment. This vital service is provided by no other institution.” Free Wi-Fi access and more than 1,000 computers are available in Seattle’s libraries.
Vote by email October 6, 2008
Neighborhoods are just getting settled into their new and rennovated branch libraries and usage is skyrocketing. Funding cuts coming now, just as the library is completing it’s ten year growth and expansion, Libraries For All, would hit hard.
The Libraries For All project that Seattle passed in 1998 was the largest capital bond in the United States at the time. It guided the rennovation of existing libraries, built a new Central library and added service to some neighborhoods. That kind of public investment and support drew national attention and created a library system with International recognition. The Ballard, Beacon Hill, Douglass-Truth, South Park, Northgate, and Montlake branches and Central library have garnered many community and architectural awards.
Seattle, we voted with our pocketbooks and now we’re voting with our feet. Visits to Central library are up 211% since 2003. Now we need to vote by email in order to protect our investment. Please help Friends of The Seattle Public Library tell elected officials that library collections need their support. The Mayor has proposed funding that is 2.2 million dollars short of the library’s need. Please ask City Council to increase the mayor’s proposed collections budget to bring it nearer the amount the library must have to meet growing neighborhood demand. Councilmember emails: jean.godden@seattle.gov, richard.conlin@seattle.gov, nick.licata@seattle.gov, jan.drago@seattle.gov, sally.clark@seattle.gov, tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov, bruce.harrell@seattle.gov, tim.burgess@seattle.gov, richard.mciver@seattle.gov
Council Votes Increase For 2008 Materials Budget November 4, 2007
[Friends Post from Nov-07]
Good news, Friends! On November 19, 2007 the Seattle City Council adopted a $2 million increase for The Seattle Public Library`s 2008 materials budget. In addition, the council set a significant new funding guideline for future library materials budget proposals.
The 2008 budget increase stems from the 2006 Friends of The Seattle Public Library campaign. In 2006, at the beginning of the biennial budget cycle, the Friends testified that materials circulation was climbing and funding levels were inadequate. City Council responded by adopting a Statement of Legislative Intent requesting that the library present the ideal level of resources needed to accommodate the growing library system and resulting patron demand. This materials analysis, presented in June, 2007, identified a $2.5 million gap in funding.
By October, patrons and supporters of The Seattle Public Library began to speak up about their concerns over lengthened hold list queues and strained resources. Media reflected the concern and blogs started to talk about the issue. On October 10 and 30, patrons from across the city came down to Seattle City Hall to testify about the need for increased funding. On November 13 the Budget Committee recommended a $2 million dollar increase in materials funding in 2008. In addition, funding guidance was adopted for future library materials budgets, setting a baseline increase of $1.5 million above the mayor’s 2008 proposal. The full council unanimously approved these recommendations on November 19, 2007.
To become informed on the issues:
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November 7, 2007 Seattle Times opinion piece by Friends President Mimi Winslow and Library Foundation President David C. Williams.
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November 6, 2007 Seattle Times article about our library collections issues.
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City Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck’s and Friends [immediate past] President Hollis Williams’ opinion piece from October 30 Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Members Talk To City Council October 4, 2007
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