From the Director's DeskJanuary 4, 2010 |
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Advocacy in the New YearI 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:
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. Rolling Prairie Library System |
