Public Libraries In PA Feeling Crunch In State Budget Crisis
Pennsylvania's budget crunch is threatening the state's libraries. Senate Republicans proposed a 55% funding cut. WFMZ's Bo Koltnow reports. The House rejected the Senate bill that called for a 55% cut in library funding. State Representative Jennifer Mann told me that despite todays rejection cuts to the library will be coming. No matter the number the Allentown Public Library is for the bracing for the worst. Avid reader Ron Rucker's routine is to have 3 books ready to read. To do that he heads to the library.
>> RON: Straight up answer is that would be 75 dollars at a minimum.
>> REPORTER: But for those like Rucker checking out the latest best seller.
>> REPORTER: Might be a little more difficult. Pennsylvania's budget battle is threatening to write a new chapter in how Libraries run.
>> KATHY: It's a very worrisome time for us.
>> REPORTER: Allentown Public Library head Kathy Kneiss says possible deep budget cuts is forcing the library to be very selective it what it now buys. One area that could suffer would be the travel section? Right. From CD's to DVD's, new purchases are being put on hold. For now only best sellers will be bought..and even those will be slim pickins. >>Bo: Typically you buy 10 copies now only 2 or 3?
>> KATHY: Now only buy 1or 2 and people would have to wait longer to get a copy.
>> REPORTER: That could just be the tip of the iceberg. Kniess says staff, hours, branches and library services such as the state wide library access program and the online Power Library could be cut. Putting the crunch on those like Janine Short who uses the library twice a day. >>Bo: Why is this important to you?
>> JANINE I can't afford to have the computer in my home. They have high speed Internet here and I do job searches.
>> REPORTER: Because the house rejected the Senate bill it now goes to a conference committee. The Democrats call for only a 12% library cut. So it looks like there's still work that needs to be done.
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