The following message was sent to me recently after Gov. Locke's budget omitted funding for the Washington State Library. Although I have not used the library, I realize its importance for genealogists, historians and , especially those who do research in this state. In addition, I believe every state owes its citizens a library to maintain materials pertinent to the running of the state where one lives. The closing of the library would have an impact on us as genealogists but also on the small libraries that we have in our communities. Please consider notifying your legislators that you feel maintaining a state library is important and cuts should be sought elsewhere in the budget. Thanks, Margie Beldin WA State Genealogical Society Rep -----Original Message----- From: PATTY AYALA [mailto:PAYALA@statelib.wa.gov] Sent: Friday, December 21, 2001 8:43 AM To: walibsdl@list.statelib.lib.wa.us; wiif@list.statelib.lib.wa.us Subject: [ State Wide Database Licensing ] Closing the WA State Library? Hello Everyone--Please, please, please forward to as many listservs as you have access to. Thank you so much for your support, and excuse duplication on this message. Patty Ayala ****************************************************** CLOSING THE WASHINGTON STATE LIBRARY (Proposed in the Governor's 2002 Supplemental Budget) The Washington State Library, established by the Organic Act of the Territory of Washington as passed by Congress in 1853, functions much like the "Library of Congress for Washington State." Every state in the United States and several territories currently maintain a state library agency. The Governor's budget proposal would: Eliminate centralized, cost effective research and information services for the Legislature and state agency staff. WSL provides over 50,000 state officials and workers with information services that support the work of state government, through specialized collections focused in areas of public policy. Expert professionals provide web-based and in-person assistance using electronic and print resources -- support state workers need to get their jobs done. WSL trains state staff in efficient information gathering and analysis skills. Centralized licensing of expensive commercial information databases reduces unnecessary duplication and overall costs. No other Washington library has the mandate, expertise, or funding to provide these services. Governor Locke's budget proposal does not provide for alternative providers or funding for these services. Eliminate support to local communities to establish and develop their own library services. WSL provides library development services to all types and sizes of Washington libraries, serving over five million Washingtonians. These services substantially benefit rural libraries, where library staff may not be technically experienced or professionally trained. Federal library funds are almost the exclusive source for providing these services. Eliminate $3 million in federal library funds. Governor Locke's budget proposal assumes Washington will continue to receive federal library funds that support virtually all services to local libraries. However, federal statute limits application, receipt, and use and distribution of federal library funds to only a "designated...library development agency" that has active programs and services that promote local library development and which can maintain mandated state matching funds. Absence of such a qualified agency would render Washington State ineligible to apply for these funds. Eliminate public, business, student, and state agency access to integrated special collections on an efficient way, at the same location, and with no access cost to the user. WSL is the designated depository for about 1 million state and 1.3 million federal publications. WSL also collects and makes accessible the most complete collection of Washington newspapers, dating back to before statehood. Co-location of collections and shared expertise of information professionals enhance the value of the service and information now available. No other Washington library has the mandate or capacity to assume these responsibilities, including making this information freely available to the public. Governor Locke's budget proposal does not provide funding for any other entity to assume these responsibilities. Eliminate facilitated access to government information online. WSL actively builds digital collections of state and local government and consumer information. Its staff makes that information available through a specially developed search engine, providing intuitive searching by governments, businesses, students, and the general public. Governor Locke's budget proposal does not provide for an alternative provider or funds to continue this service. Eliminate centrally supported library services at state residential institutions. WSL provides on-site and online library services to staff and residents at Western State Hospital, Eastern State Hospital, Rainier School, and in ten adult corrections facilities, with coordinated, cost effective support from one central location at WSL. No other Washington library is positioned to provide these specialized services without additional funding. Dedicated library and research services for practitioners in Washington mental hospitals and institutions for the developmentally disabled are required to maintain Joint Commission of American Hospitals (JCAH) accreditation. Corrections libraries support educational and rehabilitation efforts for incarcerated residents and provide institutional staff with current digital and print based professional research information. Governor Locke's budget proposal does not provide institutions additional funds to continue these services. The annual budget for the State Library is about $9 million in state funds and $3 million in federal funds. Costs of the recent dismantling and moving of the State Library to temporary quarters in FY02 have been roughly $1.5 million in one-time funding. In addition, the state has incurred such ongoing obligations as rent for WSL's temporary facility (approximately $75,000 per month) and bonded indebtedness (Certificate of Participation) of $660,000. Governor Locke's budget does not include funds to dismantle and disperse the State Library if it is eliminated and does not address the above and other resulting ongoing liabilities. The Washington State Library Commission's position is that the Washington State Library's budget for FY2003 should remain at the level originally passed for this biennium: $8,988,094 state funds. For more information, contact: Nancy Zussy State Librarian 360.753.2915 nzussy@statelib.wa.gov Anne Haley, Chair Washington State Library Commission 509.575.4411 ahaley@yvrl.lib.wa.us December 20, 2001