At 3 p.m. on a Tuesday, Linda Esler, reference librarian at the Bloomfield Public Library, is so busy she can barely take a breath. In the space of a few minutes, she has three kids looking for Civil War books, a woman having trouble printing something and several people waiting for a computer with internet to free up. And it’s constant. People call up for mango salsa recipes, come in to print out NJ tax forms and ask for help filing federal financial aid forms.
And now, part of Essler’s job is letting people know that Governor Chris Christie is making Draconian cuts in the state’s library budget. A bright yellow bulletin board contains fact sheets and postcards from the Save My NJ Library campaign. The campaign is also on Facebook, and more than 10,000 people have joined.
Is Essler afraid that speaking out about Christie’s cuts, on the job, might bring the governor’s wrath down on librarians — as it has with teachers? “This is how it will affect us,” said Essler. “I’m just presenting the facts.”
According to Save My NJ Library, Christie’s budget calls for a 74 percent decrease in funding for statewide library services — with the cuts targeting transportation for interlibrary loans and electronic databases. State funding for individual libraries is being cut by 50 percent.
Robert White, executive director of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System or BCCLS, which includes Montclair, Bloomfield and Glen Ridge as members, is even more strident. He thinks Christie is going after libraries and librarians because of their mild-mannered reputation. “They think that librarians are wimps,” says White. “I think he is bullying anybody and everybody he thinks he can get away with.” But librarians aren’t wimps, White argues, and neither are the senior citizens who are libraries’ top patrons. “Do not trifle with these senior citizens,” he warns.
He points out that libraries gained friends during recent storms when so many libraries provided internet access to thousands of people who lost power.
The Glen Ridge library is also participating in the fight, distributing these postcards for patrons to send to their legislators.
Wayne Bernstein, a patron of the Bloomfield Public Library, says he uses the library because he can’t afford monthly internet charges. “Christie’s cutting everything left and right and there’s going to be nothing left,” he said. “He should leave the libraries alone. You need libraries. Find something else to cut.”
In a related matter, Bloomfield’s library board meets tonight on the matter of the abrupt sacking of library director Gian Hasija.
http://www.savemynjlibrary.org/
Save My NJ Library!
I loved public libraries as a kid – I would go there and look at all kinds of books and maps after classroom time ended. Unfortunately, the internet is threatening their place as information nodes – and virtual overhead is probably less costly than brick and mortar overhead.
I guess we’ll need to rely on Hannity and Glenn Beck for the truth now.
I love the library. I use it all the time, I really do.
But, it really cheeses me to read that these people are doing this stuff while on the clock.
(Then again, I guess their bosses don’t want the budget cut any more than the librarians do. So, it’s ok to use “company” time and resources in the manner.)
While 74% seems rather excessive, there needs to be some amount of cuts made to the libraries (and everywhere else for that matter). A series of cuts, some more painful than others, are the only way we’re going to ever get this state in order.
I love libraries, always have; I signed the online petition and send a check every year to the Montclair Public Library Foundation.
But I’m posting totally off-topic here because there’s no open thread today–did anybody else get a visit from the Urban Development Solutions magazine sellers? Right now they’re in the Stonebridge/Eagle Rock/Wayside part of Montclair. I’m 98% sure this is the same outfit that came around a few years ago and talked me into subscribing to 3 magazines for $175 to help disadvantaged kids get off the streets and stay off them. I did not buy this time…and since it is a scam (Google it), I’m wondering whether it’s appropriate to alert the police. But they aren’t doing anything actually illegal as they go door to door, so I don’t really think it IS right to call the cops. Thoughts?
Oliver–As one that is in the magazine business, this type of activity is illegal and NOT authorized by reputable publishers. You would do everyone a favor and call the cops next time. It’s a bogus op.
charge $ to become a member. open up a cafe like barnes and noble has. Lose the computers+internet,movies and focus on the actual thing people need you for, books and reference materials.
How about we look at other places to cut? Say all the patronage jobs that the cronies of the politicos hold? Or is that too naive/idealistic?
“Wayne Bernstein, a patron of the Bloomfield Public Library, says he uses the library because he can’t afford monthly internet charges.” waaahhhhh – the internet is not a necessity. The census via paper only enhances this fact. If I have to chose between stocking up books for kids, or having a working PC for Wanye, I chose the former.
The internet has become a necessity in many ways including looking for a job. Libraries need to keep up with the times if it is their goal to provide the public with information.
I guess the repubs are not only the party of “no”, but the party of “I’ve got mine, FU”.
“I’ve got mine, FU” – sounds fine to me. I am not looking for anything for free- and I am OK with others doing the same.
Then stay out of the library and buy your books.
I’m with chilinmo…there are other places to cut.
I had two visits from people representing this outfit last year. The first was belligerent, threatening, and refused to leave my property. Lets say he lacked some fundamental sales skills. We exchanged words and I called the police. They told me that this group basically recruits from the ranks of troubled(history of drug, crime, gang activity) inner city youth with the promise that they can earn money through selling subscriptions. They are dropped off in areas and expected to fill quotas. Later, I got a visit from another of their people. This one told me that he had a history of gang violence, drug use, etc., but seemed like he genuinely wanted to work his way into productive society. While I didn’t subscribe, we had a pleasant talk, and I encouraged him that he was on the right track. The group is indeed bogus and takes advantage of individuals that are often at a crossroads in terms of which direction theirs lives will lead.
Why be upset that they are handing out library petitions while on the clock? It doesn’t take much to collect the petitions and send them on en masse.
The Internet is a necessity. If you have to do anything with immigration, you need to schedule online. They routinely tell people to go to the library. The State of NJ didn’t send out tax forms to most households and stopped sending to the libraries and post offices. They said to file online or download forms from online. Can’t do that without the net. Look at newspapers lately? The job sections are almost gone. All the jobs are online.
Christie could easily cut other areas, but he’s chosen to go after libraries. Why? Libraries offer more bang for the tax buck than most services. Long live the free public libraries. In this economy the library is a great place to borrow books, dvds, music, etc. You can check out their free programming, too. Kudos to all the librarians!
And this from the Star-Ledger: “Cedar Grove council members are considering closing the township’s only library for seven months to close a $600,000 budget gap.”
And apparently there’s no guarantee they’d open next year!!! Unbelievable.
“you need to schedule online.” so work- and buy internet service- maybe you don’t need $30 a month cable internet, dial up or DSL will suffice. Maybe you don’t get a cell phone then.