The meeting should be well attended and unfortunately a previously set appointment on Wed a.m. will preclude my attending. I might try to twist some arms in our area to get some representation. Thanks for letting me know about it. Alvie L. Davidson CGRS Lakeland, Florida http://www.floridadetective.net "Keep smiling and keep 'em guessing what you are up to!" --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

This info is provided for those interested in writing letters regarding the closure of the Florida Library, Museum of History and Archives. GOVERNMENT LINKS http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/fgils/government.html

Sydney and All: Yes, the please contact every legislator. We are hearing every day that many of them do not know anything about this. Guess they don't read the Governor's budget or letters. <G> There will be a statewide summit on Feb 19th at the Field Library in Cocoa. If any want to attend, information is provided below: STATEWIDE SUMMIT CALL The Board of Directors of the Florida Historical Society is concerned about the planned elimination of the Florida State Library and the relocation/reorganization of the Florida State Museum, the Department of Archives, and the Bureau of Historic Preservation. Concerned citizens, historical and cultural organizations, scholars, authors, and others are invited to attend an afternoon summit on February 19 at the Alma Clyde Field Library of Florida History. The Library is located at 435 Brevard Avenue, Cocoa, FL 32922. [Access mapquest.com for explicit directions] The summit will convene at 2:00 p.m. and should conclude at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Theodore VanItallie, president of the Florida Historical Society, will preside over the summit. If you are a member of additional list-serv groups or have access to institutional/organizational electronic or USPS mailing lists, please pass this information along. Institutional/organizational participants are encouraged to bring membership e-mail addresses on a PC disk for inclusion on future mailing list-serv or in a Microsoft Excel/Microsoft Works format that can be converted into mailing labels. The purpose of the summit is to formulate a unified response to the proposed closure of the State Library and other agencies and to devise a plan for presenting this unified response to Florida legislators. The focus of the summit will be non-political, but comprehensive. Organizations or individuals who can come are urged to call Dr. Nick Wynne at (321) 690-1971 or e-mail him at [email protected] as soon as possible. This will allow the Society and the Library to make the necessary space arrangements. A reception will be held at Dr. Wynne's home at the conclusion of the summit. Information about the reception will be given to delegates who attend the summit. For those who anticipate staying overnight, here is a list of hotels/motels in the area: NAME LOCATION TELEPHONE NUMBER Best Western SR 520 and I-95 (407) 632-1065 Campbell Motel US-1 (Cocoa) (407) 636-6111 Days Inn SR 524 and I-95 (407) 636-6500 Dixie Motel US-1 (Cocoa) (407) 632-1600 EconoLodge SR 528 and US-1 (Cocoa) (407) 632-4561 Clarion Inn SR 520 (Merritt Island) (407) 452-7711 Ramada Inn SR 524 and I-95 (407) 631-1210 Space Coast Motel US-1 (Cocoa) (407) 784-3333 These are all clean motels. The cheapest is probably the Dixie Inn. The Clarion Inn on Merritt Island is in close proximity to numerous restaurants, including a steakhouse on the premises, a major shopping mall, and two movie theaters. Pamela J. Cooper, Supervisor Indian River County Main Library Florida History & Genealogy Department 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-770-5060, Fax 772-770-5066 Email: [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Sydney Cardner [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 11:51 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida State Library Ironic and oh, so sad, Pam. Your letter has been shared extensively throughout the country. Phone calls make a difference, too. I called several, then I sent the letter and the website where your info is posted to their email address. I got this back, so they are hearing from people: "I will certainly review all of this information. I have spoken to several other representatives and they have also been contacted by concerned citizens about this issue.." We CAN make a difference. I just shared the Library Appreciation Month with some folks. I was told, or had it implied to me, that it is vital to contact the legislators, not just the governor. Sydney ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pam Cooper" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 10:48 AM Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida State Library > Dear Friends: > You have got to appreciate the irony of this. Jeb Bush signed a proclamation > that February 2003 will be "Library Appreciation Month." As my friend Drew > Smith said "And, January is Library DEpreciation month!" > > http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Friends/BLDFT.html > > I want to let you know that we have friends in Canada, Australia and England > who are also helping us by contacting our Legislators. > > I would highly recommend that all of you please send letters or faxes. They > are much more effective than emails. The reality is that e-mails can be > deleted. > > Thank you. > > Pamela J. Cooper, Supervisor > Indian River County Main Library > Florida History & Genealogy Department > 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 > 772-770-5060, Fax 772-770-5066 > Email: [email protected] > > > >

Ironic and oh, so sad, Pam. Your letter has been shared extensively throughout the country. Phone calls make a difference, too. I called several, then I sent the letter and the website where your info is posted to their email address. I got this back, so they are hearing from people: "I will certainly review all of this information. I have spoken to several other representatives and they have also been contacted by concerned citizens about this issue.." We CAN make a difference. I just shared the Library Appreciation Month with some folks. I was told, or had it implied to me, that it is vital to contact the legislators, not just the governor. Sydney ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pam Cooper" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 10:48 AM Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida State Library > Dear Friends: > You have got to appreciate the irony of this. Jeb Bush signed a proclamation > that February 2003 will be "Library Appreciation Month." As my friend Drew > Smith said "And, January is Library DEpreciation month!" > > http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Friends/BLDFT.html > > I want to let you know that we have friends in Canada, Australia and England > who are also helping us by contacting our Legislators. > > I would highly recommend that all of you please send letters or faxes. They > are much more effective than emails. The reality is that e-mails can be > deleted. > > Thank you. > > Pamela J. Cooper, Supervisor > Indian River County Main Library > Florida History & Genealogy Department > 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 > 772-770-5060, Fax 772-770-5066 > Email: [email protected] > > > >

Dear Friends: You have got to appreciate the irony of this. Jeb Bush signed a proclamation that February 2003 will be "Library Appreciation Month." As my friend Drew Smith said "And, January is Library DEpreciation month!" http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/Friends/BLDFT.html I want to let you know that we have friends in Canada, Australia and England who are also helping us by contacting our Legislators. I would highly recommend that all of you please send letters or faxes. They are much more effective than emails. The reality is that e-mails can be deleted. Thank you. Pamela J. Cooper, Supervisor Indian River County Main Library Florida History & Genealogy Department 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 772-770-5060, Fax 772-770-5066 Email: [email protected]

According to an editorial in the Tallahassee Democrat yesterday, we are talking about 5.4 mil.....chump change in the state budget. I talked to someone who used to be on the board of the Florida State Museum (also in the RA Gray building but privately funded) and she said it was not long ago that the state spent a bundle (she did not have the figure) to acclimate the building to protect the documents. So that is another BIG consideration when talking about moving the documents to another facility. I was born an optimist, and I believe that if we raise enough hell (pardon my French) we can save the library. GO FLORIDA LIST MEMBERS!!! Peggy Munroe ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jack V Butler" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 6:49 AM Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > In comments in the news yesterday, Jeb Bush said that the scholars who > needed the material would be able to get to it at the university - making it > clear that he does not think public access an issue. > > If you have ever attempted to visit Strozier Library at FSU, you already > know that if more than 3 people at a time try to go, they will find no > parking within any kind of a reasonable walking distance. Also, Strozier > already has two warehouses full of library materials that they have no room > to display. Since Bush did not budget any funds for the Florida Library > materials, how much extra effort do you suppose they would get? > > FSU is not a reasonable alternative unless the move is adequately funded - > and if it is to be funded, then what is the benefit of the move? > > This is either an ill-advised effort to boost his budget negotiation > position, or one of Jeb's more bone-headed moves. > > Jack Butler > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 8:11 PM > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > Several things wrong with that. Sounds good on the surface, but not > > really. An article in a nearby newspaper pointed out that access would be > > an issue at a university. For example, when I was taking some recent > > classes at a local college, I could use their materials. When the class > was > > finished, I could not. They would belong to the university not the > state. > > > > Also I understand parking is a problem. Space is a problem. > > > > Further, the FSU funding is almost being cut in half. Why would they want > > to take all that responsibility with no funding being allowed for it. Dr. > > Wetherell just stated that. He as much as said they just could not handle > > it under these circumstances. > > > > The library building is already existing, the archives are there, it > already > > has housing for the state's history, the cost is such a minimal portion of > a > > state budget, it is all already there under one roof. I just can't see > the > > advantage to closing it. It is not just Florida, other states are > > considering that libraries that hold archived materials are expendable. > > > > This was posted to give people an opportunity to let the state legislature > > know their feelings. It is up to each individual whether it bothers them > > enough to speak about it or not. Actually, the Republican legislators I > > talked to yesterday feel the concerns. Their first question was WHY? > Why > > did they cut it out of the budget? That was my first question also. > > > > FSU does not want it when its funding is being so drastically cut, and > they > > will be facing layoffs. I have been told that if it goes under some > other > > departments, it will NOT be accessible to the public in the way it is now. > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "William Caldwell" <[email protected]> > > To: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 1:52 PM > > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > > Seems like I read somewhere that Florida State University would pick up > > the > > > pieces if the State Library and/or Archives were to disintegrate. If > > true, > > > don't think that that would be a terrible hardship for us genealogers, > > since > > > the 'Noles don't have a bad school and probably would take good care of > > > things. (Could be rough on Game Day, though). The State Museum, if I > > > remember right, is on the UF campus, and it seems to get by OK. > > > > > > Any truth in any of this? > > > > > > > > > William H. Caldwell (FSU '65) > > > 6020 Porter Drive > > > Harrison, Tennessee 37341 > > > 423/344-5674 > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: Sydney Cardner <[email protected]> > > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]> > > > Date: Monday, January 27, 2003 4:21 PM > > > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > > > > >Very very good questions! I just talked to both my state congress > > > people, > > > >or their offices should I say. They seem to be blissfully unaware of > it, > > > >and even asked me for further information. Is anyone irate yet? > > > > > > > >I asked specifically where a governor would get the power to already > tell > > > >the librarians their jobs are ended. I got no answer. > > > > > > > >That was a great question. I was stunned beyond belief to hear them > say > > > >they did not understand what I was talking about. Don't legislators > and > > > >their aides read major papers anymore? > > > > > > > >If people do not get outraged, then this is going to happen. In fact, > > if > > > >their jobs end in July, it may already be done. > > > > > > > >Governor Bush's first figure on the class size amendment costing some > 27 > > > >billion was later forced to be revised, in fact he admitted he was not > > sure > > > >about it. Then he said he was not sure how much it would cost. I > just > > > >wanted to mention that, as it did not get widely publicized. > > > > > > > >Here is the site to visit to contact them. > > > >http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >----- Original Message ----- > > > > > > > > > > > >From: "sdmarsh" <[email protected]> > > > >To: <[email protected]> > > > >Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 9:19 AM > > > >Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > > > > > > >> Okay, I've been following this and planning my letters to Jeb, et al, > > > then > > > >the email below comes along. Am I missing something? If the budget > just > > > >came out, and it hasn't passed the legislature yet, how have they told > > the > > > >librarians their jobs end July 1? Now that is confidence, moxie or > > > whatever > > > >you want to call arrogance. > > > >> > > > >> I have seven lines in Florida before it became a state. I currently > > live > > > >in Texas so I have some experience with the Texas Bush management > style. > > > >Luckily Texans have a strong sense of history. A two semester state > > > history > > > >class is a required subject in college, something Florida should learn > > > from, > > > >if it hasn't already. The Texas shrub never tried to destroy the state > > > >archives, but he sure left a mess in plenty of other "soft" areas. > Like > > > >he's doing at the Federal level now. This really goes beyond closing > > > >libraries and cutting university budgets, but I'll leave that to your > > > >imaginations and not get into too much poilitics. I encourage everyone > > to > > > >get involved. We are still a democracy. If we loose balance between > the > > > >"hard" budget areas and the "soft" ones, we truly loose who we are. > > Every > > > >area of a budget can be made more efficient, but most politicians just > > cut > > > >budgets in the areas they don't appreciate and leave the "scared cows" > > > allow > > > >to get more and more waste! > > > >> ful. It's easy and full of opportunities for rhetoric. > > > >> > > > >> >Those are good links. Thanks. I just noticed in the article from > the > > > >> >Tallahassee Democrat that the librarians have already been told > their > > > >jobs > > > >> >end July 1. This makes it more urgent. > > > >> >Good links. > > > >> >Sydney > > > >> > > > >> Sharon > > > >> Come visit the family (30+ lines online) > > > >> www.roadshometofl.com > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > >______________________________ > > > > > > > > > > > >

In comments in the news yesterday, Jeb Bush said that the scholars who needed the material would be able to get to it at the university - making it clear that he does not think public access an issue. If you have ever attempted to visit Strozier Library at FSU, you already know that if more than 3 people at a time try to go, they will find no parking within any kind of a reasonable walking distance. Also, Strozier already has two warehouses full of library materials that they have no room to display. Since Bush did not budget any funds for the Florida Library materials, how much extra effort do you suppose they would get? FSU is not a reasonable alternative unless the move is adequately funded - and if it is to be funded, then what is the benefit of the move? This is either an ill-advised effort to boost his budget negotiation position, or one of Jeb's more bone-headed moves. Jack Butler ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 8:11 PM Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > Several things wrong with that. Sounds good on the surface, but not > really. An article in a nearby newspaper pointed out that access would be > an issue at a university. For example, when I was taking some recent > classes at a local college, I could use their materials. When the class was > finished, I could not. They would belong to the university not the state. > > Also I understand parking is a problem. Space is a problem. > > Further, the FSU funding is almost being cut in half. Why would they want > to take all that responsibility with no funding being allowed for it. Dr. > Wetherell just stated that. He as much as said they just could not handle > it under these circumstances. > > The library building is already existing, the archives are there, it already > has housing for the state's history, the cost is such a minimal portion of a > state budget, it is all already there under one roof. I just can't see the > advantage to closing it. It is not just Florida, other states are > considering that libraries that hold archived materials are expendable. > > This was posted to give people an opportunity to let the state legislature > know their feelings. It is up to each individual whether it bothers them > enough to speak about it or not. Actually, the Republican legislators I > talked to yesterday feel the concerns. Their first question was WHY? Why > did they cut it out of the budget? That was my first question also. > > FSU does not want it when its funding is being so drastically cut, and they > will be facing layoffs. I have been told that if it goes under some other > departments, it will NOT be accessible to the public in the way it is now. > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "William Caldwell" <[email protected]> > To: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 1:52 PM > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > Seems like I read somewhere that Florida State University would pick up > the > > pieces if the State Library and/or Archives were to disintegrate. If > true, > > don't think that that would be a terrible hardship for us genealogers, > since > > the 'Noles don't have a bad school and probably would take good care of > > things. (Could be rough on Game Day, though). The State Museum, if I > > remember right, is on the UF campus, and it seems to get by OK. > > > > Any truth in any of this? > > > > > > William H. Caldwell (FSU '65) > > 6020 Porter Drive > > Harrison, Tennessee 37341 > > 423/344-5674 > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Sydney Cardner <[email protected]> > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]> > > Date: Monday, January 27, 2003 4:21 PM > > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > >Very very good questions! I just talked to both my state congress > > people, > > >or their offices should I say. They seem to be blissfully unaware of it, > > >and even asked me for further information. Is anyone irate yet? > > > > > >I asked specifically where a governor would get the power to already tell > > >the librarians their jobs are ended. I got no answer. > > > > > >That was a great question. I was stunned beyond belief to hear them say > > >they did not understand what I was talking about. Don't legislators and > > >their aides read major papers anymore? > > > > > >If people do not get outraged, then this is going to happen. In fact, > if > > >their jobs end in July, it may already be done. > > > > > >Governor Bush's first figure on the class size amendment costing some 27 > > >billion was later forced to be revised, in fact he admitted he was not > sure > > >about it. Then he said he was not sure how much it would cost. I just > > >wanted to mention that, as it did not get widely publicized. > > > > > >Here is the site to visit to contact them. > > >http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >----- Original Message ----- > > > > > > > > >From: "sdmarsh" <[email protected]> > > >To: <[email protected]> > > >Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 9:19 AM > > >Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > > > >> Okay, I've been following this and planning my letters to Jeb, et al, > > then > > >the email below comes along. Am I missing something? If the budget just > > >came out, and it hasn't passed the legislature yet, how have they told > the > > >librarians their jobs end July 1? Now that is confidence, moxie or > > whatever > > >you want to call arrogance. > > >> > > >> I have seven lines in Florida before it became a state. I currently > live > > >in Texas so I have some experience with the Texas Bush management style. > > >Luckily Texans have a strong sense of history. A two semester state > > history > > >class is a required subject in college, something Florida should learn > > from, > > >if it hasn't already. The Texas shrub never tried to destroy the state > > >archives, but he sure left a mess in plenty of other "soft" areas. Like > > >he's doing at the Federal level now. This really goes beyond closing > > >libraries and cutting university budgets, but I'll leave that to your > > >imaginations and not get into too much poilitics. I encourage everyone > to > > >get involved. We are still a democracy. If we loose balance between the > > >"hard" budget areas and the "soft" ones, we truly loose who we are. > Every > > >area of a budget can be made more efficient, but most politicians just > cut > > >budgets in the areas they don't appreciate and leave the "scared cows" > > allow > > >to get more and more waste! > > >> ful. It's easy and full of opportunities for rhetoric. > > >> > > >> >Those are good links. Thanks. I just noticed in the article from the > > >> >Tallahassee Democrat that the librarians have already been told their > > >jobs > > >> >end July 1. This makes it more urgent. > > >> >Good links. > > >> >Sydney > > >> > > >> Sharon > > >> Come visit the family (30+ lines online) > > >> www.roadshometofl.com > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > >______________________________ > > > > > >

Just a point of correction for William Caldwell. The State archives are on the periphery of the campus not in its heart. The FSU library is right in the middle of downtown Seminoleland however. And that's where he wants to ship the archival material. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 8:11 PM Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > Several things wrong with that. Sounds good on the surface, but not > really. An article in a nearby newspaper pointed out that access would be > an issue at a university. For example, when I was taking some recent > classes at a local college, I could use their materials. When the class was > finished, I could not. They would belong to the university not the state. > > Also I understand parking is a problem. Space is a problem. > > Further, the FSU funding is almost being cut in half. Why would they want > to take all that responsibility with no funding being allowed for it. Dr. > Wetherell just stated that. He as much as said they just could not handle > it under these circumstances. > > The library building is already existing, the archives are there, it already > has housing for the state's history, the cost is such a minimal portion of a > state budget, it is all already there under one roof. I just can't see the > advantage to closing it. It is not just Florida, other states are > considering that libraries that hold archived materials are expendable. > > This was posted to give people an opportunity to let the state legislature > know their feelings. It is up to each individual whether it bothers them > enough to speak about it or not. Actually, the Republican legislators I > talked to yesterday feel the concerns. Their first question was WHY? Why > did they cut it out of the budget? That was my first question also. > > FSU does not want it when its funding is being so drastically cut, and they > will be facing layoffs. I have been told that if it goes under some other > departments, it will NOT be accessible to the public in the way it is now. > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "William Caldwell" <[email protected]> > To: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 1:52 PM > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > Seems like I read somewhere that Florida State University would pick up > the > > pieces if the State Library and/or Archives were to disintegrate. If > true, > > don't think that that would be a terrible hardship for us genealogers, > since > > the 'Noles don't have a bad school and probably would take good care of > > things. (Could be rough on Game Day, though). The State Museum, if I > > remember right, is on the UF campus, and it seems to get by OK. > > > > Any truth in any of this? > > > > > > William H. Caldwell (FSU '65) > > 6020 Porter Drive > > Harrison, Tennessee 37341 > > 423/344-5674 > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Sydney Cardner <[email protected]> > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]> > > Date: Monday, January 27, 2003 4:21 PM > > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > >Very very good questions! I just talked to both my state congress > > people, > > >or their offices should I say. They seem to be blissfully unaware of it, > > >and even asked me for further information. Is anyone irate yet? > > > > > >I asked specifically where a governor would get the power to already tell > > >the librarians their jobs are ended. I got no answer. > > > > > >That was a great question. I was stunned beyond belief to hear them say > > >they did not understand what I was talking about. Don't legislators and > > >their aides read major papers anymore? > > > > > >If people do not get outraged, then this is going to happen. In fact, > if > > >their jobs end in July, it may already be done. > > > > > >Governor Bush's first figure on the class size amendment costing some 27 > > >billion was later forced to be revised, in fact he admitted he was not > sure > > >about it. Then he said he was not sure how much it would cost. I just > > >wanted to mention that, as it did not get widely publicized. > > > > > >Here is the site to visit to contact them. > > >http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >----- Original Message ----- > > > > > > > > >From: "sdmarsh" <[email protected]> > > >To: <[email protected]> > > >Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 9:19 AM > > >Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > > > > >> Okay, I've been following this and planning my letters to Jeb, et al, > > then > > >the email below comes along. Am I missing something? If the budget just > > >came out, and it hasn't passed the legislature yet, how have they told > the > > >librarians their jobs end July 1? Now that is confidence, moxie or > > whatever > > >you want to call arrogance. > > >> > > >> I have seven lines in Florida before it became a state. I currently > live > > >in Texas so I have some experience with the Texas Bush management style. > > >Luckily Texans have a strong sense of history. A two semester state > > history > > >class is a required subject in college, something Florida should learn > > from, > > >if it hasn't already. The Texas shrub never tried to destroy the state > > >archives, but he sure left a mess in plenty of other "soft" areas. Like > > >he's doing at the Federal level now. This really goes beyond closing > > >libraries and cutting university budgets, but I'll leave that to your > > >imaginations and not get into too much poilitics. I encourage everyone > to > > >get involved. We are still a democracy. If we loose balance between the > > >"hard" budget areas and the "soft" ones, we truly loose who we are. > Every > > >area of a budget can be made more efficient, but most politicians just > cut > > >budgets in the areas they don't appreciate and leave the "scared cows" > > allow > > >to get more and more waste! > > >> ful. It's easy and full of opportunities for rhetoric. > > >> > > >> >Those are good links. Thanks. I just noticed in the article from the > > >> >Tallahassee Democrat that the librarians have already been told their > > >jobs > > >> >end July 1. This makes it more urgent. > > >> >Good links. > > >> >Sydney > > >> > > >> Sharon > > >> Come visit the family (30+ lines online) > > >> www.roadshometofl.com > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > > >______________________________ > > > > > >

Several things wrong with that. Sounds good on the surface, but not really. An article in a nearby newspaper pointed out that access would be an issue at a university. For example, when I was taking some recent classes at a local college, I could use their materials. When the class was finished, I could not. They would belong to the university not the state. Also I understand parking is a problem. Space is a problem. Further, the FSU funding is almost being cut in half. Why would they want to take all that responsibility with no funding being allowed for it. Dr. Wetherell just stated that. He as much as said they just could not handle it under these circumstances. The library building is already existing, the archives are there, it already has housing for the state's history, the cost is such a minimal portion of a state budget, it is all already there under one roof. I just can't see the advantage to closing it. It is not just Florida, other states are considering that libraries that hold archived materials are expendable. This was posted to give people an opportunity to let the state legislature know their feelings. It is up to each individual whether it bothers them enough to speak about it or not. Actually, the Republican legislators I talked to yesterday feel the concerns. Their first question was WHY? Why did they cut it out of the budget? That was my first question also. FSU does not want it when its funding is being so drastically cut, and they will be facing layoffs. I have been told that if it goes under some other departments, it will NOT be accessible to the public in the way it is now. ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Caldwell" <[email protected]> To: "Sydney Cardner" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 1:52 PM Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > Seems like I read somewhere that Florida State University would pick up the > pieces if the State Library and/or Archives were to disintegrate. If true, > don't think that that would be a terrible hardship for us genealogers, since > the 'Noles don't have a bad school and probably would take good care of > things. (Could be rough on Game Day, though). The State Museum, if I > remember right, is on the UF campus, and it seems to get by OK. > > Any truth in any of this? > > > William H. Caldwell (FSU '65) > 6020 Porter Drive > Harrison, Tennessee 37341 > 423/344-5674 > -----Original Message----- > From: Sydney Cardner <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] <[email protected]> > Date: Monday, January 27, 2003 4:21 PM > Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > >Very very good questions! I just talked to both my state congress > people, > >or their offices should I say. They seem to be blissfully unaware of it, > >and even asked me for further information. Is anyone irate yet? > > > >I asked specifically where a governor would get the power to already tell > >the librarians their jobs are ended. I got no answer. > > > >That was a great question. I was stunned beyond belief to hear them say > >they did not understand what I was talking about. Don't legislators and > >their aides read major papers anymore? > > > >If people do not get outraged, then this is going to happen. In fact, if > >their jobs end in July, it may already be done. > > > >Governor Bush's first figure on the class size amendment costing some 27 > >billion was later forced to be revised, in fact he admitted he was not sure > >about it. Then he said he was not sure how much it would cost. I just > >wanted to mention that, as it did not get widely publicized. > > > >Here is the site to visit to contact them. > >http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >----- Original Message ----- > > > > > >From: "sdmarsh" <[email protected]> > >To: <[email protected]> > >Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 9:19 AM > >Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > > > > > >> Okay, I've been following this and planning my letters to Jeb, et al, > then > >the email below comes along. Am I missing something? If the budget just > >came out, and it hasn't passed the legislature yet, how have they told the > >librarians their jobs end July 1? Now that is confidence, moxie or > whatever > >you want to call arrogance. > >> > >> I have seven lines in Florida before it became a state. I currently live > >in Texas so I have some experience with the Texas Bush management style. > >Luckily Texans have a strong sense of history. A two semester state > history > >class is a required subject in college, something Florida should learn > from, > >if it hasn't already. The Texas shrub never tried to destroy the state > >archives, but he sure left a mess in plenty of other "soft" areas. Like > >he's doing at the Federal level now. This really goes beyond closing > >libraries and cutting university budgets, but I'll leave that to your > >imaginations and not get into too much poilitics. I encourage everyone to > >get involved. We are still a democracy. If we loose balance between the > >"hard" budget areas and the "soft" ones, we truly loose who we are. Every > >area of a budget can be made more efficient, but most politicians just cut > >budgets in the areas they don't appreciate and leave the "scared cows" > allow > >to get more and more waste! > >> ful. It's easy and full of opportunities for rhetoric. > >> > >> >Those are good links. Thanks. I just noticed in the article from the > >> >Tallahassee Democrat that the librarians have already been told their > >jobs > >> >end July 1. This makes it more urgent. > >> >Good links. > >> >Sydney > >> > >> Sharon > >> Come visit the family (30+ lines online) > >> www.roadshometofl.com > >> > >> > >> > > > >______________________________ > >

Our elected officials will reconvene March 4th with the session slated to end May 2nd. It will be in this time frame that they will vote on the proposed budget...... I spent part of this morning talking to a former State Aide regarding the situation regarding the Archives. Suggestions: 1. Contact as many officials as possible before March 4 by LETTER. 2. Write one to one letters regardless of how many different persons you contact. Form letters are not treated with the same consideration as those that are personal and "different". 3. If an elected official receives at least 15 such "unique letters by different persons" , they take the situation seriously and begin to have their aides look into the matter....... [1 letter = about 1000 like minded citizens and potential voters] 4. Calls also are good, especially as a follow-up to your letter. 5. If you worked in their campaign /voted for them....LET them know that also....... Bottom line, each of us concerned, need to write as many of our Senators AND Legislatures as quickly as possible.... we have less than a month.........And remember YOUR OPINION [VOTE] DOES COUNT...especially in numbers..... For addresses: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SAVE OUR FLORIDA STATE ARCHIVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE SOUTHERN GENEALOGIST'S EXCHANGE SOCIETY AND RESEARCH FACILITY is open free to members and for a small fee to the public SGES is located at 6215 Sauterne Drive, Jacksonville, Florida The mailing address is P.O. Box 2801, Jacksonville, FL 32203 Phone: 904-778-1000 Email: [email protected] Website: http://sgesjax.tripod.com Library hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 10-4; and Sat. 1-5 Closed all major holidays LIBRARY HOLDINGS INCLUDE: 4500+ BOOKS, INCLUDING MATERIALS FROM 46 OF THE 50 STATES, with large collections for FL, GA, AL, VA, NC, & NC. 850+ Family Histories. Also census, military, ethnic, immigration, passenger lists, reference and many others. Two personal collections totaling over 380 volumes. 2000+ microfilm and microfiche including census, military records, and Florida land records. 50+ CDs including early genealogical records (census, vital records, maps, etc.) from various states, Social Security Death Records, SAR records, Freedman's Bank Records, World Family Tree, and Family Finder Index. 300+ different quarterlies from throughout the U.S. 4000+ Ancestral Charts of members. Vertical Files/Family Files. We also have genealogical supplies available: Forms, Charts (for wall, and two- or three-ring binder). Materials published by SGES include: Pioneers of Florida's First Coast; Old City Cemetery, Jacksonville, Florida; Other genealogical books on Florida and Georgia; The SGES Quarterly (published since 1957). The Society meets at the library the second Saturday of each month (except December) for a program and business meeting, at 10 a.m. The library is easily accessible from I-10 and I-295 on the west side of Jacksonville. See the Web site for directions. You are invited to visit and to become a member.

This editorial from theTallahassee Democrat should be of interest. 5.4 mil is chump change in state government. http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/5043482.htm">http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/5043482.htm</a>

Call for Proposals Freedom in the Florida Territory: American and Caribbean Connections to the Underground Railroad May 29-31, 2003 Program Committee Co-chairs: Orloff Miller, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Barbara Tagger, National Park Service Network To Freedom Program Marvin Dawkins, University of Miami Kristopher Smith, Florida Underground Railroad Project The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, in cooperation with the Florida Underground Railroad Project, and the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, is sponsoring a conference to be hosted at the University of Miami, in Miami, Florida. This extraordinary three day conference will be devoted to the promotion of scholarship related to the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight in Florida and the surrounding areas of the Caribbean, as well as the mainlands of North, Central and South America; historic activity described by or associated with terms such as "cimarrón" or "cimarrónes," "marronnage," "palenques, "quilombos," and "Black Seminoles" among others, and known in the United States by the term "Underground Railroad." A highlight of the conference will be a moderated panel discussion exploring the needs and challenges facing collaborative and multicultural research and interpretation at the grass-roots, institutional and academic levels regarding historic Afro-Latin American resistance to enslavement through escape and flight. The conference will be open to all having interests in this area of study. The Program Committee invites proposals for individual or collective papers, sessions, workshops, roundtables, conversations, performances, films, and exhibits investigating the conference theme. Topics may address all aspects of historic resistance to enslavement through escape and flight in the region, including but not limited to maroon communities, historic escape routes, or the illegal and illicit activities of abolitionists, anti-slavery or secret societies, fraternal orders and native cultures. The committee welcomes proposals from both professional scholars as well as nonprofessional lay researchers. Anyone, regardless of affiliation, whose research is relevant to Florida and Afro-Latin American connections to the Underground Railroad is welcome to submit a proposal. Proposed presentations can and should represent work in progress, rather than published work. Presentations should offer unique, original work not presented elsewhere. Proposals should include the presentation's title, the participant's name, address, e-mail address, and telephone and fax numbers. The proposals should be single-sided (1-2 pages) and accompanied by a brief one-page resume. Proposals must state the presentation's theme (or argument, as appropriate), outline its scope and content, and discuss the methodology, as well as the major primary and secondary sources, used in research, development and interpretation. Any anticipated audio visual and special presentation needs must be noted, also. Possible Proposal Formats for Miami 2003 We invite proposals in two broad categories of untraditional formats: A. Sessions with Papers. These sessions include a chair, presentation of papers to an audience, and commentary, but papers will not be read aloud, allowing more time for informed, informal, and engaged discussion. "Talk" format. Presenters will write papers, as usual, and distribute them to the chair, commentator, and other panelists by the deadline. But in the session they will "talk" their paper from notes, speaking directly to the audience rather than reading line-by-line. Poster session. Presenters will post their materials on a large bulletin board that can accommodate text pages in large type, graphics, primary source extracts, etc. Video and audio clips can also be used. These sessions will feature three or four such presentations grouped around a common theme. The first half of the session gives the audience time to read and discuss each exhibit with the presenters. The second half encourages group discussion, facilitated by a chair and commentators B. Sessions without Papers. Performance format. Presenters will perform their work. This could include the range of artistic performing arts (dance, music, drama, spoken word, performance art) to multi-media presentations (video, film, audio, digital media) and readings of creative fiction and non-fiction. Dialogue format (roundtables). Presenters will engage in dialogues with each other and the audience. Possible formats could include roundtables of academics; forums with scholars, community activists, mass or alternative media-makers and public officials; conversations between performing and/or visual artists, curators, and educators. This format might be particularly well suited to creating linkages with the communities outside the academy (community centers, performing arts centers, museums, secondary schools, prisons, libraries, and other public sites). Workshop format. Presenters will create venues to verbally and physically interact with the audience. Educators, artists, and curators, for example, could lead these workshops to emphasize the interactive challenges and possibilities of this subject matter. Guidelines In order that as many people as possible will have the opportunity to be actively involved in the Regional Meeting, participants will be limited to one appearance in one session on the program. A person may not present a paper in one session and serve as a chair or commentator in the same or another session. The Program Committee will provide only standard audio-visual equipment. You may select from slide projector, overhead projector, VCR, CD player, audio cassette player, and/or 16-mm projector. Any audio-visual equipment must be requested by April 15, 2003. Sessions submitted without a chair will not be considered. Selection will be based on the proposed presentation's original or continuing contribution to the area of study. Proceedings of the conference will form the core of a subsequent published volume. Therefore, all presenters will be asked to produce a 1-2 page synopsis of their work, plus either a complete manuscript, or allow their session presentation to be videotaped as a prerequisite of the proposal's acceptance. Proposals must be received by February 24, 2003. Late and incomplete proposals will not be considered. Send proposals to: 2003 Regional Program Committee, c/o National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 312 Elm St., Suite 1250, Cincinnati, OH 45202; Phone: (513) 419-6648; FAX (513) 241-7131. Electronic submissions are encouraged. To confirm receipt of a proposal, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard, or an email address, with the submission. Accepted proposals will be announced by March 15, 2003. For further information contact Tamara Williams [(513) 419-6648 or [email protected]] or one of the Program Committee Co-chairs: Orloff Miller, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, [email protected], Barbara Tagger, National Park Service, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, [email protected], Kristopher Smith, Florida Underground Railroad Project, [email protected] Tamara R. Williams Project Administrator, Freedom Stations & Research Programs National Underground Railroad Freedom Center 513/419-6648 direct www.freedomcenter.org

A Chester Family Reunion is being held on Saturday, May 3, 2003 at J. Lee Vause Park (formerly Old Bainbridge Rd. Park), Lake Jackson, FL (near Tallahassee). All Chester's and descendants are invited to join in a day of fun, fellowship & good food. Please bring a covered dish and we will share a noon meal. There will be a raffle, games & prizes and a "White Elephant Sale." Bring an item from home for the sale if you're interested. Bring your family photos to share and a camera to take new photos. If you have any family history to share, bring it, also. Since I am researching and writing mine, I'll have it with me. I'll have a "show 'n tell" copy of my Chester Family History book that is still a work in progress. Admission is $10.00 per person over 12 and $5.00 per person over 60. Contact me privately for more info and/or to let me know if you will attend. Liz Gerlits < Deretha Elizabeth (Liz) Yon Gerlits > formerly of Havana, Gadsden Co, FL now living in Palm Bay, FL ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Recipes from Family, Friends & Strangers," by Liz Gerlits (a cookbook with a genealogy flavor). Email me privately at [email protected] for details.

Very very good questions! I just talked to both my state congress people, or their offices should I say. They seem to be blissfully unaware of it, and even asked me for further information. Is anyone irate yet? I asked specifically where a governor would get the power to already tell the librarians their jobs are ended. I got no answer. That was a great question. I was stunned beyond belief to hear them say they did not understand what I was talking about. Don't legislators and their aides read major papers anymore? If people do not get outraged, then this is going to happen. In fact, if their jobs end in July, it may already be done. Governor Bush's first figure on the class size amendment costing some 27 billion was later forced to be revised, in fact he admitted he was not sure about it. Then he said he was not sure how much it would cost. I just wanted to mention that, as it did not get widely publicized. Here is the site to visit to contact them. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "sdmarsh" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2003 9:19 AM Subject: [FLORIDA] Florida libraries > Okay, I've been following this and planning my letters to Jeb, et al, then the email below comes along. Am I missing something? If the budget just came out, and it hasn't passed the legislature yet, how have they told the librarians their jobs end July 1? Now that is confidence, moxie or whatever you want to call arrogance. > > I have seven lines in Florida before it became a state. I currently live in Texas so I have some experience with the Texas Bush management style. Luckily Texans have a strong sense of history. A two semester state history class is a required subject in college, something Florida should learn from, if it hasn't already. The Texas shrub never tried to destroy the state archives, but he sure left a mess in plenty of other "soft" areas. Like he's doing at the Federal level now. This really goes beyond closing libraries and cutting university budgets, but I'll leave that to your imaginations and not get into too much poilitics. I encourage everyone to get involved. We are still a democracy. If we loose balance between the "hard" budget areas and the "soft" ones, we truly loose who we are. Every area of a budget can be made more efficient, but most politicians just cut budgets in the areas they don't appreciate and leave the "scared cows" allow to get more and more waste! > ful. It's easy and full of opportunities for rhetoric. > > >Those are good links. Thanks. I just noticed in the article from the > >Tallahassee Democrat that the librarians have already been told their jobs > >end July 1. This makes it more urgent. > >Good links. > >Sydney > > Sharon > Come visit the family (30+ lines online) > www.roadshometofl.com > > >

Okay, I've been following this and planning my letters to Jeb, et al, then the email below comes along. Am I missing something? If the budget just came out, and it hasn't passed the legislature yet, how have they told the librarians their jobs end July 1? Now that is confidence, moxie or whatever you want to call arrogance. I have seven lines in Florida before it became a state. I currently live in Texas so I have some experience with the Texas Bush management style. Luckily Texans have a strong sense of history. A two semester state history class is a required subject in college, something Florida should learn from, if it hasn't already. The Texas shrub never tried to destroy the state archives, but he sure left a mess in plenty of other "soft" areas. Like he's doing at the Federal level now. This really goes beyond closing libraries and cutting university budgets, but I'll leave that to your imaginations and not get into too much poilitics. I encourage everyone to get involved. We are still a democracy. If we loose balance between the "hard" budget areas and the "soft" ones, we truly loose who we are. Every area of a budget can be made more efficient, but most politicians just cut budgets in the areas they don't appreciate and leave the "scared cows" allow to get more and more waste! ful. It's easy and full of opportunities for rhetoric. >Those are good links. Thanks. I just noticed in the article from the >Tallahassee Democrat that the librarians have already been told their jobs >end July 1. This makes it more urgent. >Good links. >Sydney Sharon Come visit the family (30+ lines online) www.roadshometofl.com

For a close up look on the Governor's budget recommendations, visit his e-budget at www.ebudget.state.fl.us. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SAVE OUR FLORIDA STATE ARCHIVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~<>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please excuse the off-message remark, but... GO BUCS! Paul M. Hendricks, MD

Paul: I am truly grateful that you said this. In fact, I just emailed the governor of the state of Washington (feeling a little guilty) because they have been trying to dissolve their state library for the last two years. This is my big fear that if Bush wins this fight, other states may follow. In addition, I think everyone in Florida should try to save history - no matter what state you live in or from. I am from Minnesota and I have no family in Florida. But, my love of Florida's history goes to my roots --- a little pun there. <G> But, beyond that, can you tell me what American history book does not have Columbus, Ponce de Leon or DeSoto mentioned. Florida has many documents from that era, which historians from all over the US use a great deal. I want to ask everyone -- no matter what geographic location you are from, to write our Governor, please. [email protected] or [email protected] - I have sent an email to both. Don't know for sure which one is correct. My statement and Barratt Wilkins letter has now been posted to the Records Preservation and Access web site. Here is the URL http://www.fgs org/rpa/FlCurrent.htm - Please feel free to print the URL in your newsletters if it will be easier than the printed version. I will keep you posted as to what actions will be taken by this committee. Thank you all for your support. Pam Cooper FGS/FSGS 2003 Conference Co-Chair < http://www.fgs.org > President, Florida State Genealogical Society < http://www.rootsweb com/~flsgs/ > Chair, Librarians Serving Genealogists < http://www.cas.usf edu/lis/genealib/ > P. O. Box 7066 Vero Beach, FL 32961-7066 -------Original Message------- From: [email protected] Date: Sunday, January 26, 2003 04:51:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [FLORIDA] Florida State Library/Archives In a message dated 1/26/2003 12:19:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > To take Cheryl's excellent suggestion one step further, go to this site to > find e-mail addresses for your legislators: > http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > Gov Bush's address is [email protected] > > Bill Cotterell with the Tallahassee Democrat : [email protected] > > Now I will shut my big mouth for awhile!! > > Peggy Munroe > By the way, for those of you who (like me) are not Florida residents (I am a Native Floridian with family roots back to the 1840's in Florida, but a current transplanted Tennessean), don't hesitate to write. Remember that Jeb has national ambitions (ie, President in '08) and will be very interested in your opinions (or at least your votes) in a few years (not that I'm recommending that you ever vote for him)! Paul M. Hendricks, MD .

In a message dated 1/26/2003 12:19:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > To take Cheryl's excellent suggestion one step further, go to this site to > find e-mail addresses for your legislators: > http://www.leg.state.fl.us/ > > Gov Bush's address is [email protected] > > Bill Cotterell with the Tallahassee Democrat : [email protected] > > Now I will shut my big mouth for awhile!! > > Peggy Munroe > By the way, for those of you who (like me) are not Florida residents (I am a Native Floridian with family roots back to the 1840's in Florida, but a current transplanted Tennessean), don't hesitate to write. Remember that Jeb has national ambitions (ie, President in '08) and will be very interested in your opinions (or at least your votes) in a few years (not that I'm recommending that you ever vote for him)! Paul M. Hendricks, MD