Monday, November 3, 2008

NYLA RALLY TO PROTEST FURTHER CUTS IN STATE AID TO LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY SYSTEMS

When: Tuesday, November 18th 1 pm - 2:30 pm

Where: Well of the Legislative Office Building, Albany

Directions: Vans and cars can find parking in the garages underneath or nearby the Empire State Plaza.( visit <http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/Parking/forVisitor/visitor.html>. For more information).

Buses can drop off attendees at the Madison Avenue side of the Empire State Plaza (between the ESP and State Museum) and park at Crossgates Mall. Attendees would then walk down the length of the Empire State Plaza, go through security check points and go left toward the Legislative Office Building. The Well of the LOB is on the bottom floor near the elevators.

Objective: The NYS Legislature is holding a Special Session at the request of the Governor to consider $1.5 to $2 billion in further cuts to the 2008-09 State Budget.
Library Aid has already been cut twice this year from $102 million to $99 million.

Although we realize the state is facing difficult economic times, libraries and library systems have already done their part toward reducing the state’s budget deficit. Other sources of revenue should be explored and other state funded programs need to do their share to reduce the state budget deficit.

Contact Info: If you are interested in attending the Rally, contact your local library system to find out whether they are organizing transportation to Albany or the NYLA office at 518-432-6952.

In addition, we have posted a letter on our website to send to the Governor and state Legislators urging them not to cut Library Aid again. Visit <www.nyla.org> and click on Contact Your Elected Officials button to advocate for libraries.

Michael J. Borges
Executive Director
New York Library Association
252 Hudson Avenue
Albany, New York 12210
(518) 432-6952, ext. 101
(518) 427-1697 Fax
director@nyla.org

1 comment:

sallreen said...

As a strategy to collectively state our position, the New York Library Association (NYLA) is organizing a rally in Albany on Tuesday, November 18. Library association are trying to have as many librarians and library supporters from around the state attend this rally. To make it easier to attend, SENYLRC is joining the Mid-Hudson and Ramapo Catskill Library Systems in paying for a bus.
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