Why Is One US City Stripping the Word 'Public' from Public Library?

Published 5/2/2011
In an age of greed and selfishness, the public library stands as an enduring monument to the values of cooperation and sharing. In an age where global corporations stride the earth, the public library remains firmly rooted in the local community.

Since its inception the American public library’s prime directive has been to protect the public’s access to information.

Library usage is increasing by 15-30 percent while at the same time their budgets are being cut by 10-15 percent.
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Thank You Sign

Below is the sample sign that we used on Tuesday morning to thank the Represenatives for all of their hard work on behalf of libraries here in FL. It measures 17" x 20"

Public library funding safe in state budget

Aired 5/3/2011 NPR
In order to hold on to federal dollars, the libraries needed 21.2-million. Tuesday brought good news when Paul Clark, known around the Capital as "the Library Guy" for his lobbying efforts, learned that not only had lawmakers agreed to the 21.2-million- they added in an extra 100-thousand dollars.

"The money is really important, especially for rural counties, about 33 of the 67 counties here in Florida, that money represents almost 20-percent of their total income, and when you start taking away anything, you're taking away services they provide to the public."
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State aid to libraries budgeted at $21.3 million

Published 5/3/2011 Suwannee Democrat
This morning, the House and Senate budget chairs of Florida agreed to fund state aid to libraries at $21.3 million. This is an increase of $100,000 from last year.
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News from the 2011 Legislative Session

Hines Boyd: Libraries are essential service centers
Published 4/27/2011 Tallahassee Democrat

Florida library funding in crisis
Published 4/27/2011 Suwannee Democrat

Our take on: Libraries at risk & Imperiled court
Published 4/15/2011 Orlando Sentinel

Florida Senate Holds Firm on Zero State Money for Libraries
Published 4/15/2011 Library Journal

Funding cuts for local libraries expected to stun, not kill
Published 4/14/2011 HeraldTribune.com

Lawmakers debate cutting funding to libraries
Published 4/13/2011 Cfnews13.com

Legislature would cut – or eliminate – library funding
Published 4/12/2011 Sun-Sentinel

Legislative Committee Braces For Possible Cuts
Published 4/8/2011 ECB Publishing

State aid to libraries threatened ... again
Published 4/6/2011 Suwannee Democrat

The High Cost of Cutting Costs
Published 4/2011 St. Augustine News and Opinion – The Underground

Library supporters trek to Tallahassee
Published 3/30/2011 HardisonInk.com

Libraries face state aid cuts
Published 3/29/2011 - The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Wakulla County Public Library Funding in Danger of Being Cut
Published 3/26/2011 Wakulla.com

Collier commissioners seek time with governor, Senate president in Tallahassee
Published 3/23/2011 Naplenews.com

State Aid and State Library Cut Deeply in House Committee budget
Published 3/18/2011 Florida Association of Counties