Does Mayor Sharon want to cut library funding in half?

Plainfielders are justly proud of their public library, and they show it by using it heavily.

And a story in last Sunday's NY Times (see here) noted that New Jersey's libraries are being heavily used in these challenging economic times. This reminded me of another story on New Jersey libraries that ran in the Courier about a month ago (see here), which struck me as a little odd because I couldn't quite figure out why the NJ Library Association's executive director, Pat Tumulty, was beating the drums so hard about library services.

After all, there had been a spate of stories nationwide about how important a resource libraries have become in these tough times for those who use their free Internet connections and access to resume-writing software to stay on top of the job market.

A little digging turned up the story behind the story: an effort by the NJ League of Municipalities (on whose Executive Board Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs sits) to reduce legally required funding of public libraries by 50% (see League resolution in PDF here, and letter to mayors here).

That would, to put it mildly, cripple the state's public libraries and make life even harder for those who depend on its services.

The League shopped around for a sponsor in the Legislature and found one, writing to the state's mayors on February 12 of its success (see here) and citing the bill number, A3753 (see here).

The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-Bergen), the Deputy Majority Whip. You may view his legislative profile here.

Two questions come to mind:

1. Since the League resolution passed unanimously, are we correct in assuming Mayor Sharon supports cutting library funding by half?
   
   
2. If she supports cutting library funding, why hasn't she said so in Plainfield?

Is Mayor Robinson-Briggs really this mean-spirited? Or is she just careless and inattentive to details?

Oh yes, there may be another question: What's become of the proposed bill?

---

NJ League of Municipalities --

• Letter to Mayors, 1/08/09: "Library Funding Changes and Resolution"
• Resolution 2008-03: "Regarding Tax Levies for Free Public Libraries" (PDF)
• Letter to Mayors, 2/12/09: "Re: A-3753 Municipal Library Funding Flexibility"
  

NJ Assembly --

• Profile: "Assemblyman Vincent Prieto"
• Bill: "A-3753: Reduces tax levy for free public libraries"

NYTimes, 3/15/09: "Times Are Tough, and Libraries Are Thriving"
Courier, 2/24/09: "Central Jersey's libraries show 'snapshot' of services, impact on residents' lives"

-- Dan Damon

View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe.