Texas libraries are in a fight for their lives as deep funding cuts loom at the Texas legislature. The proposed Texas budget eliminates state funding for libraries, cutting key programs at the heart of what academic libraries, public schools, and public libraries offer students, faculty, and the people of Texas. Library advocates are fighting back with a statewide campaign tosave Texas libraries by demanding that legislators restore funding,including a public rally planned at the State Capitol April 13 where supporters will literally beat drums on behalf of libraries.
The first draft of the budget calls for a complete withdrawal of state funds for the TexShare program, which provides college students with access to thousands of online journals, reference and research materials, and current scholarly works covering almost all areas of study and innovation. During a recent hearing, Paul Gray, a master's degree recipient from Stephen F. Austin University, testified that without the online access to the TexShare databases, it would have taken him another one to two years to complete research for his thesis. He also noted that, if he had to pay for just one of the many articles his research required, "I would have had to pay $175 for one article." The introduced budget recommends that fees be increased to institutions to compensate for the lack of state funds.
Other library programs facing dramatic cuts are the Loan Star Libraries Grants, which delivers direct state aid to almost all of Texas' more than 500 local public libraries. The state has eliminated all funding for this critical program, which is used to help libraries stay open longer, upgrade equipment, and provide support services for students, distance learners, and job-seekers. The state is also proposing the complete elimination of the K-12 Database Program, the K-12 equivalent of TexShare, which allows students in all Texas public schools to have access to same high quality online content that will help them meet their course requirements and get ready for college.
The total cut in state funding is $33 million, and because of the loss of state funds, Texas also stands to lose an additional estimated $8 million in federal funds, bringing the total loss of funding to $41 over the 2012-13 biennium."The cuts mean total decimation of library programming in Texas," says Pat Smith, executive director of the Texas Library Association. "Theproposed loss of funding will be devastating to academic, public, and school libraries, impacting staff, programs, print and digital resources and hours of operation."Library advocates are fighting back by contacting legislators, local elected officials, and boards of regents to demand that funding for libraries be restored. "We cannot say we believe in a strong Texas - in promoting education, economic development, and a competitive workforce - if we decrease investment in the very institutions, resources, and staff who equalize learning opportunities for everyone in Texas," Smith says.
What can you do?
The Save Texas Libraries campaign goal is for 100,000 people to get involved by- contacting their legislators via http://www.txla.org/take-action,
- signing the petition to Save Texas Libraries at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/texas_libraries/,
- joining the Save Texas Libraries Cause on Facebook at http://www.causes.com/causes/584917 http://www.causes.com/causes/584917-save-texas-libraries?m=e7e268b4 and
- taking part in the April 13 Rally, http://www.txla.org/rally.
