Sorry - it seems that this original message never went out to the lists! Here it is again..... Marge ------------------- Please circulate freely to all VA lists. Apr 28, 2003 Hello - I am a list member who uses the Library of VA whenever possible, although I live out of town. On my trips to VA, I have enjoyed visiting the library - both the old one and the new one - and greatly appreciate its wonderful resources and helpful staff. On my last trip, I learned to my dismay that the library has had to totally eliminate Monday hours due to lack of fund appropriations by the state legislature. This one day's closing really cut into my research time. On another front, I was informed by a list-mate that the library has had to shut its in-house microfilm duplication facility due, again, to budget cutbacks. Out of concern, I had some correspondence with library staff and was sent a Library of VA "Service Reduction Summary". It's pretty sad. Here are just some of the many cutbacks: [contact the library for the full list] 1. 59 positions out of a maximum level of 216 at the library have been eliminated. That amounts to a 27% reduction in staff!! 2. The budget for the purchase of books, mss, journals, databases, etc. was cut 45%. 3. Monday library hours were eliminated. 4. Elimination of Digital Library Program, which makes heavily-used collections available online. 5. Elimination of microfilming services. 6. Elimination of educational programs. 7. Elimination of Virginia Cavalcade magazine, the Library's quarterly magazine since 1951. 8. Slower processing of the archival collections backlog. 9. Slower response time to research inquiries due to reduced staff. Overall, there has been a 39% PERMANENT reduction in the Library's funding!!! It seems such a shame, and so ironic, that now that the state has invested so heavily in this beautiful 'new' library facility, these severe budget cuts actually reduce the value of this costly infrastructure to its users! It just doesn't make sense. A doubly cruel loss! Now we have this great facility, but we can no longer use it to its full planned potential! I don't know how many of you 'out there' use the library - either online or in person - but I imagine there are quite a few of you. The reason the legislature gets away with these punitive budget cuts is..... because it CAN! There is no band of highly-paid lobbyists to promote the library's [and its users'] interests. In fact, I received the cut-back information from the library rather by accident. If you all contact your state senators and your delegates and complain about these reductions, perhaps the legislators will see the impact of their actions and will restore library services in the future. After all, it is US, the public, who this library is supposed to be serving!! I urge you to make your feelings known, and can only assure you that your letters and calls WILL be noticed and WILL make an impact - especially if everyone takes a moment to write or call. Thank you. Marge Garfield, a concerned VA researcher