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Beverly J. Obert, Executive
Director
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Advocacy in the New Year
I would like to ask each of you to join me as a library
advocate in 2010. Yes YOU!! Each and every one of you who are reading this
message are needed to speak out for libraries!
Why? Because you are the best person to be an advocate.
You:
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know the value of your library
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know what the people of Illinois receive because there
are libraries
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know what the people of Illinois lose if libraries
suffer financially
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can tell the library story
Before Christmas I sent a memo to all of you stating
the financial situation of RPLS. We have not received any money from the
state for FY 10, and until we do we will be relying on reserve funds for our
operational needs. The staff and board are looking at ways to conserve the
funds we have under these conditions.
The time of libraries doing more with less is over. It
simply can no longer be done. In 2010 libraries, including RPLS, will do
less because they will have fewer resources. Budget cuts are happening to
every city, county, and governmental agency in the state. Libraries are
right there with them in line with a hand out, needing money to operate.
You need to advocate for your library to your
administration, city, or taxpayer. You need to advocate for RPLS to the
State legislators and senators. You need to tell them that libraries are the
first responders for those without jobs, those who need access to computers
and the internet, those that can no longer afford to purchase a newspaper,
rent a video or buy a book.
In 2010 I hope your New Year’s resolution is “I will
become a library advocate!” Let’s make it Advocate with a capital A. Go out
there and tell the story of libraries and library systems.
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