With current state funding withheld and cuts proposed for the near future, Missouri's libraries are advocating for a fair budget allocation this year and next.
Last Tuesday, about 110 librarians attended the Missouri Library Association Library Advocacy Day at the state Capitol, sharing concerns with legislators about releasing the remaining nearly $3 million of state aid appropriation to libraries and Gov. Jay Nixon's proposed cuts of nearly $6 million to state library funding in 2016.
According to the Missouri Library Association, approximately $3.5 million was budgeted this year in state aid for public libraries, and Nixon withheld the entire amount in June. He then released $723,776 in state aid to the state's libraries serving populations of 40,000 or less in November. However, that left $2,780,235 still being withheld from public libraries across the state.
In addition, the 2015 fiscal year approved budget included $3,109,250 allocated to the REAL (Remote Electronic Access for Libraries) program, which provides Internet access, training, technical support and peripheral items for public libraries, as well as licensing of shared electronic resources. Nixon also withheld this entire amount allocated to the REAL program in June, with no funds released currently.
The Missouri Library Association asked for the release of the appropriated funds approved in the 2015 budget.
They also spoke about Nixon's 2016 budget recommendations, proposing reduced funding for Missouri library programs to $5,648,776 from $11,538,251 in 2015. Missouri Librarian Association President Christina Prucha said Nixon's recommendation is a 79 percent cut in three programs that directly fund essential public services in libraries across the state.
Nixon's recommendations for state libraries in the proposed 2016 budget also give no funding to the REAL program.
These cuts are inconsistent with Secretary of State Jason Kander's proposed $3,504,001 in state aid for public libraries, $3,109,250 for the REAL program and $800,000 in A&E funds for the 2016 budget, which is the same as the approved 2015 budget allocations for state libraries.
On Tuesday, the Missouri Library Association requested not to increase funding in 2016, but to be fully funded at the amounts appropriated and approved by the Missouri House of Representatives, Senate and governor for 2015.
Lake of the Ozarks district dips into reserves to continue services
With the future of state libraries' funding on the line, Mid-Missouri library districts are making adjustments to their budgets to continue their public services to patrons.
One of the 25 tax-supported library districts not receiving the released 2015 state aid in November is the Camden County Library District at Lake of the Ozarks. Both the Morgan County Library District in Versailles and the Heartland Region Library District, with libraries in Eldon and Iberia, received their state aid funding for this year.
The Camden County Library District, which has six branches in the Lake area, had to dip into its reserves to help fund and continue its free, high-speed Internet services, which is provided through a $50,000 subsidy from the REAL program.
"Without the $50,000 for the Internet, we have to dip into our reserves to help with that and readjust our budget," said Michael Davis, director of the Camden County Library District. "Currently, we have not had to cut any services and are able to maintain all our services, programs and staff. However, we don't want the savings to dwindle because it is there for emergency situations to make needed repairs or if a major disaster would happen."
Davis, who attended Library Advocacy Day at the Capitol, sent a letter to all library district patrons informing them of the statewide library funding issues and how it could affect its libraries' free Internet and services, such as the free tax assistance through AARP, which is Internet-based and currently taking place at two of its libraries. In his Feb. 5 letter, Davis urged patrons to write to the governor and state legislators "asking them to restore REAL funding for MOREnet services. MOREnet is the Internet service provider for most public libraries in the state of Missouri."
Davis said in 2013, 35,270 patrons used the library's in-house computers, which does not include free wireless Internet connection to patrons' personal laptops or mobile devices.
"People come in and search for jobs, which is done all electronically now, connect with people and to conduct business. We have several business men and women that use our library to do their business electronically and use the free Internet," he said.
Davis said the rural libraries have the most impact from lack of funding, particularly the REAL program monetary allocation cuts. He said many rural area libraries are the only places where residents can gain high-speed, free Internet service to search for jobs, connect with people, do business and access state services.
"There is no other place in many rural communities to have free high-speed Internet, with most only having availability to dial-up or satellite Internet. In Camdenton, you have McDonald's and in Osage Beach you have Starbucks. However, in Climax Springs, Stoutland and Macks Creek, you have one place: the public library," Davis said. "The impact of these proposed funding cuts in the next two years is we would have to possibly cut Internet services and other services."
Davis said other libraries in rural areas of Missouri are already looking to cut staff or hours because of current and proposed funding cuts. He said if the proposed 2016 cuts come down, the Camden County Library District board of directors would look at cutting book-buying and the staffs' hours.
Davis said that the district also applies for grants and receives some money from the IMLS-LSTA state programs, which would be unaffected despite Nixon's 2016 budget recommendations. Davis recently applied for a $12,000 grant to fund equipment such as 3D printer, studio, video editing and audio editing programs for its "maker's space," which is open and free for public use.