The lead article “Pa. shorts libraries” reports: “As Gov. Ed Rendell authorized $20 million for the Arlen Specter Library Project Center at Philadelphia University and the John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy in Johnstown, local public libraries are staggering under yet another cut in funding…
“In 2003, library funding was $2.9 million. It dropped to $2 million in 2004. Increases in 2005 through 2008 brought it up to almost $3 million. “Last year, funding plummeted to $2.1 million.
“Libraries cut hours, reduced programs and replaced departed full-time employees with part-time help, if at all, relying on volunteers to fill the gaps.”
WATCHDOG: A wag of the tail for highlighting the way state and county are bleeding the public library systems dry, despite that they are busier now than ever. Libraries are a cultural center of a community, providing a multitude of programs and services. Politicians and self serving business interests want government funds spent on new construction, even when ‘white elephants’, because of the business profits and ego gratification (usually misplaced.)
Wise capital investments are essential. But boondoggles bleed the public dry. As in the case of Lancaster, the funds that were designated to renovate and expand the Duke Street Library serving almost 1500 persons a day were diverted to the Convention Center to cover cost overages.
The Lancaster newspapers have been doing a fine job over the past couple of years. It is tragic that not only were they silent when the shenanigans were taking place, but they were complicit.
To say that there was a specific pool of money which was originally going to be allocated to the library, but was instead “diverted” to cover Convention Center cost overages is not true. You can guess that more state and federal $ for the Convention Center equals less for everything else, but I think it’s misleading for you to state as a fact that the Convention Center ate the library’s lunch.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Watchdog was present when Mayor Rick Gray brought the bad news to the Lancaster Public Library’s board that the $3 million that had been indicated would be made available for the library’s renovation and expansion was not going to be available. Shortly thereafter a like amount of funds was provided by the State towards convention center overruns.