Do any of you have a newspaper that has not reported the Florida State Library situation? If so, may I suggest that you send a list of URL's, such as the ones below to your editor. Tell him/her that the news is all over Florida, but not in your area. It finally worked for me. Of course, it took about 3-4 emails, listing 10 or more URL's. <G> Include the new web site, which lists all current URL's: http://www.whoseflorida.com/florida_state_library.htm AND, the petition http://www.floridahistory.info/petition/ We need your help more than ever. Pam http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-loclibrary18021803feb180 7488419.story?coll=orl-news-headlines http://www gopbicom/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/sunday/news_e3f431cfa44950ac005d html http://www.tampatrib.com/MGAHJ4NY9CD.html http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/opedstoryA44162A.htm http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/021503/cl1.htm?date=021503&story=cl1 htm (Saturday, 02/15/2003 ) Charlotte Sun Herald) There is a dark and ominous cloud hovering over Tallahassee, the likes of which have not been seen for many years. The weak economy has brought about strange behavior by people in places of authority. It is the governor s responsibility to recommend a budget to the state Legislat Keep archives in one place <http://www.sunone.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=GS&Date=20030215&Category= EDITORIALS02&ArtNo=302140028&Ref=AR> (Saturday, 02/15/2003 ) Gainesville Sun) As a researcher interested in Florida history and politics, I have spent several months in Tallahassee working at the Florida State Library and Archives. The functionality of the state facility is highly dependent on the fact that it houses a wealth of materials on Florida histor Don't scatter Florida archives <http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/editorial/letters/5186908.htm> (Saturday, 02/15/2003 ) Miami Herald) As a researcher interested in Florida history and politics, I have spent several months in Tallahassee working at the Florida State Library and Archives. It houses a wealth of materials on Florida history located in one central location. Records held at the state archives have Don't Allow Dismantling Of State Library System <http://tampatrib.com/News/MGAZPLBU6CD.html> (Saturday, 02/15/2003 ) Tampa Tribune) The recently issued ``e-Budget'' announced by Gov. Jeb Bush contains the greatest threat to the Florida historical community ever. Under the governor's proposed fiscal year 2003-2004 budget, the State Library of Florida would be eliminated as a state agency and its holdings trans Jeb is history, but that won't stop him from dismantling it <http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/5184692.htm> (Saturday, 02/15/2003 ) Tallahassee Democrat) Jeb Bush is history. No kidding. It's not a joke, it's not wishful thinking. It is absolutely the truth. Still don't believe me, do you? Ah, but I have the proof, the whole proof and nothing but the proof. You may recall that lately, down in the R.A. Gray Building, that Gov. Bush Is Wrong To Try to Expel Fla. Library and Archives <http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=LL&Date=20030214&Catego ry=NEWS&ArtNo=302140336&Ref=AR&Profile=1037&SectionCat=EDIT> (Friday, 02/14/2003 ) Lakeland Ledger) Floridians who are interested in preserving Florida's history and its historical records should be outraged. Gov. Jeb Bush has proposed in the next budget to provide no money to fund the Florida State Library and the Florida State Archives, which are located in the R.A. Gray Buil Who's confused? <http://www.sptimes.com/2003/02/14/Opinion/Who_s_confused.shtml> (Friday, 02/14/2003 ) St. Petersburg Times) Caught between a constitutional mandate to reduce overcrowded classrooms and a political compulsion to be cheap with education, some Florida lawmakers are playing a treacherous game of finger-pointing. They, and Gov. Jeb Bush, are blaming ignorant voters. Letters to the Editors <http://www.sptimes.com/2003/02/17/Opinion/Dismantling_state_lib.shtml> (Monday, 02/17/2003 ) St. Petersburg Times) Dismantling state library devalues Florida heritage Since Gov. Jeb Bush's recommended budget for fiscal year 2003-2004 was made public late last month, a number of professional organizations, as well as scholars, journalists, library leaders, educators and concerned citize State's Past Could Be History <http://www.tampatrib.com/MGAHJ4NY9CD.html> (Monday, 02/17/2003 ) Tampa Tribune) TALLAHASSEE - Historians and others who fear losing control of artifacts and museum collections are scrambling this week to forestall a proposal that will change the way the state manages its cultural and historic resources. If Gov. Jeb Bush gets his way, half of the Florida st Bush's push for family values may take back seat to budget woes <http://www.sunone.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20030217&Category=APN&ArtN o=302170645&Ref=AR> (Monday, 02/17/2003 ) Gainesville Sun) Republicans want to strengthen the family and reduce the state's 80,000 divorces each year to establish a solid foundation for reducing government and improving children's lives. Gov. Jeb Bush and House Speaker Johnnie Byrd believe a family values, conservative agenda would he Letters to the Editors <http://www.sptimes.com/2003/02/17/Opinion/Dismantling_state_lib.shtml> (Monday, 02/17/2003 ) St. Petersburg Times) Dismantling state library devalues Florida heritage Since Gov. Jeb Bush's recommended budget for fiscal year 2003-2004 was made public late last month, a number of professional organizations, as well as scholars, journalists, library leaders, educators and concerned citize Library fans want state to rethink budget <http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/local/5197845.htm> (Monday, 02/17/2003 ) Tallahassee Democrat) The cluster of protesters with "Save the Library" signs in front of the R.A. Gray Building grew from three people and a dog in a T-shirt two weeks ago to 10 people and a dog (topless) last Saturday. It's hard to say whether the honk-and-wave pickets on the corner of Pensacola State's Past Could Be History <http://www.tampatrib.com/MGAHJ4NY9CD.html> (Monday, 02/17/2003 ) Tampa Tribune) TALLAHASSEE - Historians and others who fear losing control of artifacts and museum collections are scrambling this week to forestall a proposal that will change the way the state manages its cultural and historic resources. If Gov. Jeb Bush gets his way, half of the Florida st Red ink blues <http://www.sptimes.com/2003/02/16/Columns/Red_ink_blues.shtml> (Sunday, 02/16/2003 ) St. Petersburg Times) TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush's budget director flipped on her laptop and began a power-point display, not with fuzzy graphs or charts but with a firm declaration. Florida is in good shape, flashed the message on overhead TV screens. Budget director Donna Arduin ticked off 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