Dear Listers, I thought you might be interested in what Governor Bush sent to me in response to my protest. I would say that it is a LOT OF NOTHING. Mary G. (Indpls.) Subj: State Library Relocation Date: 2/28/2003 5:37:37 PM US Eastern Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:Jeb.Bush@MyFlorida.com">Jeb.Bush@MyFlorida.com</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:Mgillot@aol.com">Mgillot@aol.com</A> Sent from the Internet (Details) Dear Friend: Over the past several weeks, I have listened closely to the various views and responses to my proposals regarding the Division of Library and Information Services and the circulating collection of the State Library. I have been impressed by the passion and commitment to libraries and the unwavering support for the State Library shared by librarians, educators, scholars and citizens alike. I sincerely appreciate the concerns shared by the citizens of this great state when it comes to the preservation of our state's published history and the protection of our libraries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this important matter. I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you the reasoning behind my proposal and to clear up some misconceptions which have been circulated. First and foremost, I do not favor, and have not proposed, the elimination of the permanent collection of the State Library or the State Archives. This one-of-a-kind collection, which includes the published and unpublished history of the state from the time it was a territory until present day, such as maps, state agency publications, journals and diaries, photographs, as well as books about the state, is a tremendous resource for scholars, educators, and all Floridians interested in our great state history. Under my proposal, this collection will continue to be housed in the R.A. Gray Building and supervised by a professional staff of librarians and archivists and appropriate support staff. However, I do propose moving the circulating collection of the State Library, which consists of general volumes of fiction and non-fiction, to Nova Southeastern University, for three reasons: First, the needs of public libraries have changed. The State Library of Florida began building its circulating collection to supplement the collections of small, rural, or economically disadvantaged communities. This supplemental collection was necessary until 1997, when every county in Florida began offering free public library service. Moreover, through the Florida Library Information Network, Florida's interlibrary loan service, all citizens have access to the collections of libraries throughout the state. In time, the Florida Electronic Library will allow user-generated interlibrary loans, making accessibility even easier. These are all great achievements, and credit should go to Florida's libraries, as well as the Division of Library and Information Services. Because of this success, however, a circulating collection based in Tallahassee is no longer necessary. The second reason I proposed this move is that it will increase accessibility to this circulating collection. The simple fact is that in its current location, the circulating collection is underutilized. Last year the circulation of this collection, including interlibrary loans, was just over 60,000. If that sounds like a lot, it's really not. Because of the low usage, the circulating collection actually cost, you, the Florida taxpayer, $184.62 per registered borrower last year, or $64 per circulation. Now, the third major reason I proposed this move, is to make the best use of taxpayer dollars. My budget recommendations support Florida's public libraries including $32.4 million for State Aid to Libraries, $6 million in federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, $1.2 million for library cooperatives, and $6 million for library construction projects. Our focus will be where it belongs: developing partnerships with Florida's communities. But part of what makes those recommendations possible is the $10.2 million in savings that taxpayers will realize by moving the circulating collection. In a very tight budget year with expensive constitutional amendments passed by the voting public, we must make sure that every tax dollar is spent wisely. Thankfully, our new agreement with Nova Southeastern University does not merely save money, it will actually increase the circulation of the collection. The Nova Southeastern University Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is a joint use library administered by Nova Southeastern University, an independent not-for-profit educational institution, and Broward County Libraries, a public library system. Nova's circulation last year was 421,659, or seven times the current circulation enjoyed by the collection. The Broward County Libraries have 1.3 million registered borrowers in a county with a population of 1.6 million, meaning that 82% of the service population has a library card from this institution. Any person who holds a card from any Broward County library and all employees and students at Nova will have direct access to the collection, while citizens everywhere will have access through Florida's interlibrary loan program. No Floridian will lose access to this collection, and thousands of Floridians will have better access to it, once this agreement is implemented beginning this July. Relocating the collection is one of the actions that we will take to allow the State Library to refocus on meeting the future needs of Florida's 469 public libraries and the citizens they serve. I now look to move forward in implementing other library priorities like the Florida Electronic Library, initiating a statewide library card, and expanding the Florida Library Information Network. The State Library of Florida and Archives will continue to collect, catalog, preserve, and make available the unpublished and published history of Florida. The future of the new agency is very bright, and I look forward to working with Secretary of State Glenda Hood and the entire new department as we work to create and preserve what I know will be the best state library and archives in the nation. I thank you again for taking the time to share your views and opinions with me. I hope this response has given you a clearer picture of my proposal and its benefits to all Floridians. Sincerely, Jeb Bush

Hello A*s ... At the risk of offending the offended (judging from the countless e-mails on so many lists), I read the Govenor's letter below and it seems reasonable. It appears nothing will be lost as the permanent collection of the State Library and the State Archives will remain unchanged where they are (the R.A. Gray Building). His proposal is to move circulating collection of the State Library which he states, "consists of general volumes of fiction and non-fiction." The reason for this move appears to be fiscally sound plus they will be more accessable by increased circulation. Upon reading the letter, the cost per circulation to this point, is not good stewardship of the taxpayer's dollar. Nova Southeastern University is located in suburban Ft. Lauderdale. In closing ... while reading many of the angry e-mails concerning the proposed change of location for the circulating collection one thing occurred to me. Just how many Floridians ever bothered to look at the books, much less check one out? It is a shame it took this proposal for many to even know of its existance. But then, most people want their research available, done by someone else and placed on the Internet. My thoughts, clemi ----- Original Message ----- From: <Mgillot@aol.com> To: <ARMSTRONG-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 12:19 AM Subject: [ARMSTRONG-L] Re: FL State Library--Jeb's Answer > Dear Listers, > > I thought you might be interested in what Governor Bush sent to me in > response to my protest. I would say that it is a LOT OF NOTHING. > > Mary G. (Indpls.) > > > > Subj: State Library Relocation > Date: 2/28/2003 5:37:37 PM US Eastern Standard Time > From: <A HREF="mailto:Jeb.Bush@MyFlorida.com">Jeb.Bush@MyFlorida.com</A> > To: <A HREF="mailto:Mgillot@aol.com">Mgillot@aol.com</A> > Sent from the Internet (Details) > > > Dear Friend: > > Over the past several weeks, I have listened closely to the various views > and responses to my proposals regarding the Division of Library and > Information Services and the circulating collection of the State Library. I > have been impressed by the passion and commitment to libraries and the > unwavering support for the State Library shared by librarians, educators, > scholars and citizens alike. I sincerely appreciate the concerns shared by > the citizens of this great state when it comes to the preservation of our > state's published history and the protection of our libraries. I would like > to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to share your > thoughts with me on this important matter. > > I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you the reasoning > behind my proposal and to clear up some misconceptions which have been > circulated. First and foremost, I do not favor, and have not proposed, the > elimination of the permanent collection of the State Library or the State > Archives. This one-of-a-kind collection, which includes the published and > unpublished history of the state from the time it was a territory until > present day, such as maps, state agency publications, journals and diaries, > photographs, as well as books about the state, is a tremendous resource for > scholars, educators, and all Floridians interested in our great state > history. Under my proposal, this collection will continue to be housed in > the R.A. Gray Building and supervised by a professional staff of librarians > and archivists and appropriate support staff. > > However, I do propose moving the circulating collection of the State > Library, which consists of general volumes of fiction and non-fiction, to > Nova Southeastern University, for three reasons: > > First, the needs of public libraries have changed. The State Library of > Florida began building its circulating collection to supplement the > collections of small, rural, or economically disadvantaged communities. This > supplemental collection was necessary until 1997, when every county in > Florida began offering free public library service. Moreover, through the > Florida Library Information Network, Florida's interlibrary loan service, > all citizens have access to the collections of libraries throughout the > state. In time, the Florida Electronic Library will allow user-generated > interlibrary loans, making accessibility even easier. These are all great > achievements, and credit should go to Florida's libraries, as well as the > Division of Library and Information Services. Because of this success, > however, a circulating collection based in Tallahassee is no longer > necessary. > > The second reason I proposed this move is that it will increase > accessibility to this circulating collection. The simple fact is that in > its current location, the circulating collection is underutilized. Last > year the circulation of this collection, including interlibrary loans, was > just over 60,000. If that sounds like a lot, it's really not. Because of > the low usage, the circulating collection actually cost, you, the Florida > taxpayer, $184.62 per registered borrower last year, or $64 per circulation. > > > Now, the third major reason I proposed this move, is to make the best use of > taxpayer dollars. My budget recommendations support Florida's public > libraries including $32.4 million for State Aid to Libraries, $6 million in > federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, $1.2 million for library > cooperatives, and $6 million for library construction projects. Our focus > will be where it belongs: developing partnerships with Florida's > communities. > > But part of what makes those recommendations possible is the $10.2 million > in savings that taxpayers will realize by moving the circulating collection. > In a very tight budget year with expensive constitutional amendments passed > by the voting public, we must make sure that every tax dollar is spent > wisely. > > Thankfully, our new agreement with Nova Southeastern University does not > merely save money, it will actually increase the circulation of the > collection. > > The Nova Southeastern University Library, Research, and Information > Technology Center is a joint use library administered by Nova Southeastern > University, an independent not-for-profit educational institution, and > Broward County Libraries, a public library system. Nova's circulation last > year was 421,659, or seven times the current circulation enjoyed by the > collection. The Broward County Libraries have 1.3 million registered > borrowers in a county with a population of 1.6 million, meaning that 82% of > the service population has a library card from this institution. Any person > who holds a card from any Broward County library and all employees and > students at Nova will have direct access to the collection, while citizens > everywhere will have access through Florida's interlibrary loan program. No > Floridian will lose access to this collection, and thousands of Floridians > will have better access to it, once this agreement is implemented beginning > this July. > > Relocating the collection is one of the actions that we will take to allow > the State Library to refocus on meeting the future needs of Florida's 469 > public libraries and the citizens they serve. I now look to move forward in > implementing other library priorities like the Florida Electronic Library, > initiating a statewide library card, and expanding the Florida Library > Information Network. The State Library of Florida and Archives will > continue to collect, catalog, preserve, and make available the unpublished > and published history of Florida. The future of the new agency is very > bright, and I look forward to working with Secretary of State Glenda Hood > and the entire new department as we work to create and preserve what I know > will be the best state library and archives in the nation. > > I thank you again for taking the time to share your views and opinions with > me. I hope this response has given you a clearer picture of my proposal and > its benefits to all Floridians. > > Sincerely, > Jeb Bush > > ______________________________