State Library Appears To Have Won New Life In Budget The Associated Press Published: Feb 19, 2003 TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush's administration is close to an agreement on what to do with the state library, which it had wanted to give away to save money. After an outcry from librarians, officials worked on how to keep the archives, the library's historic collection and the state museum in state government hands. Yet to be decided is what to do with the books in the library's circulating collection. Bush suggested in his budget plan last month that the state could save $5.4 million a year by transferring much of the library away, possibly to a university. Florida State University was approached but balked at the cost. Under a tentative agreement reached between Bush's staff and interim Secretary of State Ken Detzner, the library's historic Florida collection, the state museum and the state archives, which includes government documents and photos, would remain at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. It would continue to be staffed by 40 employees of the secretary of state's office. The library's collection of 350,000 circulating books and periodicals, however, could be parceled out. State officials say the collection is underused and should be doled out to other libraries.

This paragraph concerns me. Are the "state employees" they refer to the librarians who are already there? It does not say that. Also I have heard that some state employees are already moving into the library building, the Gray building. Why would they do that? Here is the paragraph I mean: .."It would continue to be staffed by 40 employees of the secretary of state's office. The library's collection of 350,000 circulating books and periodicals, however, could be parceled out. State officials say the collection is underused and should be doled out to other libraries. ...." Are those librarians, those 40? I say there is just no reason for moving those books. The legislature has not even met yet. Are they there just to ok what the governor and the "state officials" want? That library should not be touched in any way. There is no need for it, and it is outrageous. I guess I'd better hush for now, or I will find myself in trouble with my big mouth as usual. That's what happens to retired teachers whose ideas have been squelched for years.....they speak out too loudly. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pam Cooper" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 8:48 AM Subject: [FLORIDA] Fw: Jeb Appears to Backing Off State Library Giveaway > > State Library Appears To Have Won New Life In Budget > The Associated Press > Published: Feb 19, 2003 > > > > TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush's administration is close to an agreement on > what to do with the state library, which it had wanted to give away to save > money. > After an outcry from librarians, officials worked on how to keep the > archives, the library's historic collection and the state museum in state > government hands. > Yet to be decided is what to do with the books in the library's circulating > collection. > Bush suggested in his budget plan last month that the state could save $5.4 > million a year by transferring much of the library away, possibly to a > university. Florida State University was approached but balked at the cost. > Under a tentative agreement reached between Bush's staff and interim > Secretary of State Ken Detzner, the library's historic Florida collection, > the state museum and the state archives, which includes government documents > and photos, would remain at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. It would > continue to be staffed by 40 employees of the secretary of state's office. > The library's collection of 350,000 circulating books and periodicals, > however, could be parceled out. State officials say the collection is > underused and should be doled out to other libraries. > > > > > >