Let’s get the message out! Take the time today to send a letter to your legislators and ask them to sign on to this pledge:
“Recognizing the importance of libraries and library systems to our communities and to the livelihood of the citizens of the state of Illinois, I (lawmaker) will work to oppose any additional cuts to library per capita grants in FY10. Furthermore, I will work to fully fund library per capita grants when additional state funding becomes available in the future.”
You can compose your own letter, use one of our templates, or use the Illinois Library Association’s website to send the pledge letter. Ask your legislator to send their commitment to the pledge to pledge[at]saveillinoislibraries.com. If they’ve already pledged their support, please be sure to thank them for standing by Illinois’ libraries.
The Illinois General Assembly returns to session on October 14, and we want them abuzz with how valuable libraries are, so let’s get as many letters, faxes, and emails to them before then as we can!
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Okay, you know the issues and you’ve contacted your legislator, but what comes next? Here are some tips on what to do:
- Follow up with your legislators! Sending a message to your legislators is important, but to really let them know how important this issue is, repeating the message is key. Go to CapWiz on the Illinois Library Association website to find the contact information for your local legislator, then follow up on your concern about the funding of Illinois libraries and library systems. Tell them stories of the value of your library, and thank them for their support if they’ve pledged it.
- Tell your story! If you’ve got a story about the invaluable services your library provides, or an example of how grant or service cuts are affecting your library or library system, share them on our Tell Your Story page.
- Bring it home! If your library is already doing something to bring attention to its funding cuts, support them. If they aren’t yet doing anything, see if you can get something started! Action on the local level, and in your legislators’ home districts, are the best way to bring attention to this issue.
- Become a fan on Facebook! We’ve got our very own fan page on Facebook. Show your support for all your Facebook friends to see.
Check back often for more things you can do to help save Illinois libraries!
#1 by Kitty on September 18, 2009 - 1:11 pm
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Now is the time we all need to show leadership and stand up for libraries in Illinois.
We need to send a loud and clear message to our legisators:
RESTORE LIBRARY FUNDING
Restore $3,000,000 to library budgets now.
#2 by Margaret Harrison on September 18, 2009 - 5:19 pm
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As a library board member, I see how libraries have done less for a very long time. With the increase in library use, it is time to understand how important libraries are to our communities and provide them with more support.
#3 by Tlynette on September 22, 2009 - 3:32 pm
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It must be nice to be in public office, on the public dime, deciding how public funds are to be distributed, yet NEVER seem to find enough funds to FUND PUBLIC schools and libraries! All the while, lip service is paid to how important education is to our children and our future, and how public libraries are parts of the last bastions of democracy in our republic…..yada, yada, yada! Is it any wonder so much of their rhetoric rings hollow?
When was the last time a state legislator set foot in a public library in his/her own district? Do they even know the difference between Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress cataloging? Did they ever have Library Day in their school? Do their children/grandchildren know? Do they even realize what goes on in public libraries every day or what they offer? Do they even have a clue how much a particular community uses its library or how a library gets its primary funding? (With all these bloody taxing bodies, they should be as confused as we are–oh, wait! They created the taxing bodies, so of COURSE they know, right?!) Is it any wonder so many folk are tired of political theater?
The General Assembly ought to know which public libraries are Carnegie-endowed and which ones don’t have the deep-pocket donors, because they are SO aware of the needs of their constituencies, right? The money that’s being siphoned out of library funding ought to be replaced with the salaries of unengaged, unaware legislators – face it, if a full-time employee worked only quarter time, he/she shouldn’t expect to get paid. Since our “lawmakers” blow into Springfield only a few times a year, and can’t seem to find their way to their districts or their constituencies (unless they’re running for re-election!) the other parts of the year, (excepting that diminishing few who actually do), they should forego their salaries and “auto-raises” until the budget is balanced, and practice that good stewardship/fiscal responsibility thing. Instead of wasting money on stuff that benefits only the few, the proud, the heavily endowed (golf courses, for one!—I mean, how many do we really need?), how’s about funding the things that the MANY utilize—schools and libraries, for starters?
What say we get our priorities straight for a change, just to see what it feels like? We might like it! And since it’s Library Card Sign-Up Month, what about our “lawmakers” ‘mapquesting’ their way to their own local library, just to see what goes on inside, y‘know, just as an experiment? They might actually find among the patrons, a voter or two or three hundred—wouldn’t that be interesting?
#4 by Trish on September 24, 2009 - 6:13 pm
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Funding a library is funding a community. If you consider the library an isolated entity, then you must consider a police station also in this same category… and yet we know this is not the case.
A library helps others in so many ways I would even stand and defend it to say even more then other services within a community because of the variety of types of help. Subtle, strong encouragement and direction….
It is difficult to understand a cut in funding in something so linked with the success of communities of people.
#5 by Sara Boskovich on September 25, 2009 - 10:50 am
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Funding of libraries is so very important because it is the one place a child can go in the community that is safe, he/she can learn and be exposed to the rest of the world.
Pingback: Save Illinois Libraries « Dr. Phyllis C. Self’s Blog
#6 by Rose on September 29, 2009 - 11:15 am
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As people make cuts in their personal expenses so they can put gas in their car and food on their table, libraries are where they go to access the Internet to apply for jobs online, apply for unemployment, connect with their family and friends via email, and find the information they need to live their lives. In times of money or no money, the library is where your pre-schooler learns early literacy skills in story hour and in the picture book section, your early elementary child joins the summer reading program to keep up on his reading skills but to also add fun to his summer, the teenager connects with down-loadable books for her mp3 player, young parents find parenting information, an adult finds materials and links to training for a midlife career change, and the senior citizen finds audio books, large print, and programs designed for his time of life. Libraries build community.
No other institution does so much for so many. Libraries promote lifelong learning and connect people with immediate information and resources to help them survive and thrive in an often challenging world. They provide the spark to ideas, innovation, fun, learning, and critical thinking.
A life without libraries would be unimaginably dreary.
Pingback: Campaign to Restore Funding to Illinois Libraries «
#7 by Sharon A. Sample on October 2, 2009 - 3:16 pm
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When are the decision makers in our country going to realize that in order for us to rise up and compete in the world as a leader, once again, we must value education? The quality of our education mirrors that of our libraries. The continued decline of importance of libraries is the direct result of our true lack of dedication and compassion to education overall; deplorable. Let’s put our money where our mouths are, shall we? Please invest in our future by supporting ALL libraries. Education truly is power–empowerment!
Sincerely,
Sharon A. Sample
#8 by Joyce Whitehead on October 5, 2009 - 11:24 am
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I am an academic/health sciences librarian who enjoys first hand knowledge of the contribution made by libraries and library systems. Our DuPage Library System offers leadership, support and inspiration to a variety of library types – but not only that, it offers invaluable practical help and training to all its constituents. It facilitates cooperation which, in turn, saves money and improves library service to all. One example: our small library answered 1570 health-related requests from community library users in FY2009.
And as a consumer, I depend on the services of many libraries: For their different specialties and locations I use St. Charles, Geneva, Glen Ellyn and Carol Stream public libraries and am proud to see the vast numbers of people from all walks of life who share my enthusiasm. It’s especially rewarding to see how our libraries serve minority populations who find inspiration to learn the language and participate in our culture – and in doing, share theirs. Libraries are essential, especially to support those who struggle financially. Please understand and communicate to your colleagues just how cost-effective they really are.
#9 by Linda on October 5, 2009 - 6:09 pm
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Rose has said it all!
As people make cuts in their personal expenses so they can put gas in their car and food on their table, libraries are where they go to access the Internet to apply for jobs online, apply for unemployment, connect with their family and friends via email, and find the information they need to live their lives. In times of money or no money, the library is where your pre-schooler learns early literacy skills in story hour and in the picture book section, your early elementary child joins the summer reading program to keep up on his reading skills but to also add fun to his summer, the teenager connects with down-loadable books for her mp3 player, young parents find parenting information, an adult finds materials and links to training for a midlife career change, and the senior citizen finds audio books, large print, and programs designed for his time of life. Libraries build community.
No other institution does so much for so many. Libraries promote lifelong learning and connect people with immediate information and resources to help them survive and thrive in an often challenging world. They provide the spark to ideas, innovation, fun, learning, and critical thinking.
A life without libraries would be unimaginably dreary.</P
#10 by Dianne on October 11, 2009 - 7:08 am
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As a long-time library board member and a lifetime user of our local library, I know how important the funding is to the continued existence of our very small library. Usage has dramatically increased over the past several years and services have increased just as dramatically thanks to the efforts of a lot of people.
Losing state funding could very well be the death knell for our library.
#11 by Dianne on October 11, 2009 - 7:11 am
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As a long-time library board member and a lifetime user of our local library, I know how important the funding is to the continued existence of our very small library. Usage has dramatically increased over the past several years and services have increased just as dramatically thanks to the efforts of a lot of people.
Pingback: Behind the Scenes @ NSLS » What did she say? Full funding!
#12 by Panda Turner on October 12, 2009 - 10:50 am
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I was recognized May 2009 for Spotlight on Service Award by Jessie White himself for out standing service as a volunteer literacy tutor. As a tutor our local libraries are the place we go to work with some of our students. The library is the perfect place to work on the reading comprehension the students need by having accessibility to books, magazines, and research information. Our families use our local libraries to read together, to take their children to story hours, library activities to bring parent and child together, computer accessability to do job researches since alot of the families do not have computers of their own, and finally to find a good book to read and better themselves. Please take this time and help save our libraries so we can help others become better readers like ourselves. Please help us save our local libraries from becoming something of the past. I know from my own personal experience our local library is always busy with people from the time it opens up until it closes at night. Whenever my kids needed to do research papers they would go to our local library. Where will the kids go without their local libraries when they they need to get information? Please help our local libraries. Thank you in advance.
#13 by Linda on October 12, 2009 - 3:21 pm
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I cannot imagine what life in our city would be without the public library. It is such a peaceful place to go when life sometimes seems so dismal.
My mother started taking me to our local library as a child. We had very little money as I was growing up so buying books was not an option. We couldn’t afford to take trips (we didn’t even own a car) but I was able to travel around the world through books and those wonderful old View Masters that were available at the library. When I needed to do a report at school the encyclopedias were there for my research.
For the last thirty years I’ve become involved with genealogy and our local library has been a treasure trove of information. I’ve spent many hours “digging for my roots” in books and microfilm that contain information that is not available other places.
In this troubled economy many of us who have in the past purchased books we’ve wanted to read are now depending on our public library for our reading material.
It’s so sad that the “powers that be” in the State of Illinois obviously don’t see the value of the public library system. God bless Jesse White for his common sense in working to find a way to at least make the cuts less severe.
#14 by Erin Wyatt on October 13, 2009 - 7:31 pm
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I’m a school librarian and see first hand the value of libraries to help students and teachers. We rely heavily on the public library in our community to get access to materials and use interlibrary loan services to run programs like book clubs and support student projects. I see the power of libraries in helping to meet educational, information, and recreational needs of users. Libraries build and strengthen communities. My school is proud to build a community of readers and effective users of information. The library program plays a critical role in supporting these life long learning skills and dispositions.
The current cuts to library funding have already begun to impact interlibrary loan delivery service which will impact the materials that users of the school library can access.
Study after study has indicated the positive relationship that strong school library programs have with student achievement. Partnerships with public libraries can help to make school library programs even more vibrant.
#15 by Junie Longbons on October 14, 2009 - 1:32 pm
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I work in a public library. Our library teaches free computer classes each year to over a thousand people. These people are made up of all different kids of society but they all have one thing in common. They do not know how to use a computer. In this day and age that is equivalent to not being able to read. You can not find a book at your local library unless you now how to search for it on a computer. You have to know how to use a computer to check your groceries out in a quick check out line. People are afraid to use their debit card, digital camera, etc. because they do not know how to use a mouse, keyboard, touchpad’s etc. We teach all this for free. These people who pay taxes are so happy and excited to have a place they can go learn at. Lots of these patrons are senior citizens who do not want to be left out but they have no where else to learn the very basic of a computer, how to use a mouse and a keyboard.
We also have lots of computers for unemployed people to search online for jobs as well. Some of these people have no idea how to use a computer. We help them too. These people if employed help the state with tax dollars, take this away and it adds to the problem as well as maybe even the crime rate. These low income people do not have a computer let alone the internet to use for online job searching and filling out of job applications. This is only a small part of what our library does I could give you more information but I have to go teach a computer class.
Thank you,
Junie
#16 by G. Kevin Davis on October 14, 2009 - 5:03 pm
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As a Library Administrator for the Messenger Public Library of North Aurora my staff, Library Board and I support the work of Illinois Public Libraries. My Library patrons in North Aurora use our library extensively. My patrons use the Messenger library as their “3rd Place” in the community – we are not their home nor office – but a place where they can come to pursue their own interests, learn a new skill, apply for jobs, attend a program, meet with business clients, as well as check out books and other materials. We all must support the funding that is needed to continue the services that we are providing in our community. Our legislatures and local officials must show their support for State Library Funding for the Per Capita Grant Programs and support of our local Library Systems (such as the Dupage Library System in Geneva, IL. The DLS System provide van deliver and staff training and support to my library and they host my library’s automation computer system. I urge everyone to contact their local legislators to encourage them to restore funding for LIbrary Systems and the Illinois State Library.
Thank-you
Kevin Davis, Administrator, Messenger Public Library of North Aurora, Illinois
#17 by Paula McKinnis, Cairo Jr. Sr. High School on October 15, 2009 - 10:46 am
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Cutting the LSTA funding is disappointing. In this grant Cairo didn’t ask for “bells & whistles.” We were seeking to turn our 1950s library into a true media center. Without a fully funded strong regional library system, the students of Cairo will suffer. We heavily depend on Illinois libraries for current materials for research projects. The funding of the libraries in Illinois needs to be reinstated.
#18 by Helen on October 15, 2009 - 12:34 pm
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It’s practically essential that funding be restored. Please!
#19 by Helen Moshak on October 15, 2009 - 1:39 pm
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My library is an essential part of my life. Please fund library services which are in effect the people’s universities. During this recession, we need libraries more than ever.
Thank you.
Helen Moshak
#20 by Helen Moshak on October 15, 2009 - 1:41 pm
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My library is an essential part of my life. In effect, the library is the people’s university — and needed more in this time of recession.
Please fully fund our libraries.
#21 by Maria Meachum on October 20, 2009 - 8:55 am
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As the Director of a small midwestern public library I see daily the challenges libraries face to provide their public with the standards that are raised every year and being asked to do so with less money every year. We work daily to cut costs but we do so at the expense of the people we serve. In this day and age when we see wasted tax dollars on things that don’t help the public as much as libraries I ask as a public servant and a taxpayer that funding for libraries be restored.
#22 by Phyllis on October 20, 2009 - 4:15 pm
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“Reading, riting & rithmetic” remember those three old fashioned words? They start in the schools and are enhanced at the library with books, computers and for all ages. Taking away funding for these two essential elements of our lives is foolish and short sighted when we consider the consequences of citizens not being educated and having no access to further knowledge.
#23 by Ron on October 22, 2009 - 12:02 pm
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There is no government service that provides more support to the improvement of society and quality of life than libraries. These important entities and their collections are essential assets to all communities and residents of Illinois.
I understand that our current economic conditions require careful consideration of all budgetary needs statewide. As legislators consider their options, important priorities must be considered.
It was recently announced that public tax dollars in the amount of 6.5 million dollars may be allocated for the construction of a new facility for the Museum of Broadcast Communication based on a “gratuitous” promise by former Governor Rod R. Blagojevich and recently reiterated by Governor Quinn. In considering the need to fund libraries, there should be no authorized expenditure of public tax dollars for the construction of a Museum of Broadcast Communications, since such a facility is fully capable of being constructed with the support of corporate broadcast partners who have a vested interest in such a museum.
Funding libraries with public dollars must always take precedent over funding a private enterprise.
#24 by Elizabeth on October 31, 2009 - 3:11 pm
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My story is that I have attended at least 5 trainings at my local library system and have attended at least as many networking meetings that were coordinated by my local system.
I am working in a new area in my job, one in which I have little experience, and without the opportunity to consult with my colleagues and get their advice I don’t know what I would be able to do. Their advice has made it possible, for instance, for my library to continue programming despite the fact that our programming budget has been cut.
I highly value the continuing education opportunities and consulting services offered by my library system and I don’t want to see their funding cut.
Our library is a third place, a sanctuary from the busy world we live in. It’s a place citizens can find reading materials, do research on personal consumer questions like how to fix their car and what kind of digital converter to buy, use the computers to search for job openings and apply for them, get career coaching, share their reading with others in a book discussion group, check out books and do research for school, hang out with friends in a safe place, use their laptops, learn computer skills, meet authors, access information about government services and not-for-profit services offered in the community — it’s a real community center offering services that are expensive to provide.
I think our library could provide valuable and needed services for teenagers in our community if we had more funding.
#25 by Sharon Summerford on January 19, 2010 - 7:53 am
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Being on SSI and SSD my education has been from the library in my studies of Energy therapy. i also get free dvd’s sometimes and cd’s and books. It has helped me write my book, “We Were Not Put Here To Suffer.” don’t let the people suffer any more in ignorance. we are al as one . be different and do the right thing. Truth is knowledge andthe environemnt is education for htose seeking it. Lets keep that avenue open to all. Free dome to have the best of the written or spoken or sung words.
#26 by Elizabeth B on January 19, 2010 - 10:00 am
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As a school librarian, we work hand in hand with our local public library and the North Suburban Library System. They provide resources, staff development and other support for our curriculum.
Current cuts and delayed payments by the State of Illinois have already had grave impacts on all of these services which we depend on in these tight budget times. People are using libraries more than ever to aid their employment searches and to use the free resources. If they are not available our digital divide will increase dramatically. Please restore funding to our local libraries and systems.
#27 by Jackie Jamison on January 20, 2010 - 9:37 am
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The library is the one of the fews things left to do in our community. We need the State of Illinois to step up and restore the monies to the libraries.
#28 by Lou Ann Jacobs on January 20, 2010 - 12:08 pm
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My high school students need the resources we can borrow through interlibrary loan from other libraries. Advanced Placement students in particular request materials that I could not purchase with my small budget. Borrowing from larger libraries helped them used information written at a higher level and gain the experience of what study and research is like at the collegiate level.
Library systems are very involved in the transportation of interlibrary loans and other materials to local libraries. This is a vital but expensive service they provide at no charge to the user.
My students would lose access to information without the systems services. Not everything is on the Internet!
#29 by MEMAYSHA on January 20, 2010 - 12:38 pm
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I’M SHOUTING LOUD, SAVE THE LIBRARIES! WE NEED THE FUNDING. THE LIBRARY IS A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDRENAND ADULTS TO GO TO LEARN THING, DO RESEARCH AND ETC… WITH OUT WHERE WOULD PEOPLE GO. EVERYBODY DON’T HAVE AN COMPUTER! SAVE THE LIBRARY! SEND FUNDS!
#30 by Nancy M. Moma on January 20, 2010 - 1:07 pm
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Libraries are important to everyone. Please see that funding is available. Libraries are helpful in many ways to adults and children alike. We have books, magazines, computers, fax machine, copy machine. These are all important.
#31 by Jim Roeckeman on January 20, 2010 - 2:20 pm
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Services for our library patrons may be hampered by the lack of funds to run our library systems and public libraries. My hopes are that you can rectify the fiscal problems and help libraries serve their patrons.
#32 by Jennifer Kitchen on January 20, 2010 - 5:02 pm
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My 1st love was words and now my library is not receiving funding… I visit my library several times a week. I have spent hours upon hours with my nose to the shelves and in the books. I have been a public library patron since I can remember. It is my favorite place. If my local library doesn’t have what I am looking for the interlibrary system has it and I can get almost anything I need. I am a university student and do much my research in the library. It is quiet and all I need to do I can do there. I do not know what I would do with out the library. This is something I have feared, the closing of our public library system. We need these places, all of us. They are what makes us grow, ask my kids and they will tell you. Please, don’t close down our our source of free education and entertainment. What and where will that leave us?
#33 by Cori on January 20, 2010 - 5:18 pm
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As a homeschooler the library has been essential! We have been able to receive many books that we use for our curriculum both in state as well as out of state. Especially in these difficult economic times, the library has been a complete blessing to our family!
Please don’t take this wonderful ability away from us!
#34 by Terra Patient on January 20, 2010 - 5:39 pm
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I grew up in the Atwood-Hammond Libraries. Having spent the majority of my childhood being babysat by a librarian and her 3 daughters I have come to love reading. I couldn’t have completed many of my papers as a highschool student or even in college without the library system. I see our local library serving so many young people…especially those without access to services that must be paid for. Public libraries are essential to the education of our children and interlibrary loans give them the access to materials they need.
I’m not suprised that something like this would be cut though….at the rate this country is going we will be lucky to have anything that doesn’t cost a fortune to use. The middle class is slowly disappearing and the lower class will continue to get more uneducated and poorer. Why don’t we get to the root of the problem….are you voting, who are you voting for….do you really know who you are voting for?
Leave the library and it’s librarians alone….they serve our communities with an unbridaled energy for learning and should be allowed to continue to serve the communities in which they live and work!
#35 by Paul on January 20, 2010 - 8:34 pm
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ALL libraries are valuable. they define a progressive, modern civilization, and cutting funding for these bastions of knowledge and learning is akin to admitting one’s desire for perpetual ignorance and stagnation.
keep the flame of learning burning brightly!
#36 by M. Cyril Nemecek on January 20, 2010 - 10:37 pm
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Without the services provided by our libraries, a cultural vacuum would result. It is essential for those in public office to insure the continued operation of the libraries in every community. Only they can prevent us from descending into a less literate, less informed, and less civilized society.
#37 by Ruthanne Danielson on January 21, 2010 - 6:14 pm
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My daughter, a public librarian, sent this to me. What? Illinois is not funding the library systems? What is going on? Do you realize that our local high school, Illini West, here in Carthage, does not have a school library and the state does not require it. Do you realize that the public libraries of the state cannot possibly house all the materials needed by students and other patrons? We all need this assistance and connection with the systems.
Are not you, Hynes & Quinn, the 2 who are running for governor? Why would we vote for either of you if you do not make fully funded library systems a priority?
Thanks for waking up,
Ruthanne Danielson
#38 by Mary Decker on January 21, 2010 - 9:43 pm
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The citizens of Watseka use the library for many diverse activities. It is second only to the local hospital for daily numbers of individuals coming and going. In the present state of the economy Watseka has a high unemployment rate and many people cannot purchase home computers to search for job, file for unemployment, for complete on line job applications. The library is a vital communication tool. Please restore the funding so our citizens receive the help they need.
Mary Decker
#39 by james Ross word on January 28, 2010 - 6:16 pm
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My wife and I are senior citizens and have been library patrons for all of our lives both in Texas (where we grew up) and in Illinois where we have lived in Mt Prospect, Hoffman Estates and now Carpentersville. We have always remarked how wonderful it is that we can draw from many libraries through our own Township library.
PLEASE RELEASE THE FUNDS ALLOCATED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE ILLINOIS REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM.