Library Funding in Danger

Services offered at the Murrieta Public Library could be impacted by the governor's proposal to cut $30.4 million from library funding statewide.

To pare down the state budget problems, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed permanent elimination of the $12.9 million California Library Services Act, the $12.9 million Public Library Foundation and the $4.5 State literacy program, according to the California Library Association.

"The main point, really, is the impact on the individual community member," said Loretta McKinney, director of library services at the Murrieta Public Library.

Between 1,100 and 1,200 people visit the Murrieta library each day, according to McKinney.

It is a place where job seekers can go to search for work and make or update resumes. Cardholders have use of computers, printers, copiers, along with access to research materials. Local businesses use the library as a place to network and hold training, and students of all ages can use it as a safe, quiet place to research and study.

While 82 percent of the Murrieta Public Library's funding comes from dedicated property tax, the rest comes from the state funding, local donations and fines and fees. Since July, the Friends of the Murrieta Library have committed $80,809 --$13,000 for programs and $67,809 for library collections.

Reading programs that take place each season are sponsored by the organization.

"We could not provide the high quality programs and collections that we offer without the assistance of the Friends," McKinney said.

Many of the Friends are also going to bat for the library right now by writing letters to state legislators. They also recently attended a meeting at Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries' Murrieta office, where they expressed their concern about the possible cuts.

"We are ready to continue our advocacy efforts throughout the budget process," said Judy Call, president of the Friends of the Murrieta Library, during a presentation at a Library Advisory Commission this week.

Mayor Randon Lane also spoke at the meeting. He spoke of the importance of the Library to the City's economy, saying library services help counter the unemployment rate.

"Anything that we can be doing to help move people in another direction I think is a positive in our City," Lane said. "What people are doing today may not be what they were doing 15 or 20 years ago."

He said computer use at the library is vital for the 22,000 students in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District, some of whom may not have computers at home.

"Those things I support very much," Lane said.

The Library is operating on a 2010-2011 fiscal year budget of $2.1 million after mid-year cuts, according to McKinney. That is down from $2.3 million just a year ago.

"Public libraries in the State of California operate on a shoestring, always trying to keep up with minimal staffing, insufficient technologies and in most cities--not Murrieta--are on the low end of the priority scale when budget dollars are allocated," McKinney said.

"Legislators need to know that it is not the librarians or the library facilities or collections that will suffer their proposed cuts; it is the community who will suffer from not having the assistance, resources and programs at their local libraries."