From: conntech-bounces@mylist.net [mailto:conntech-bounces@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Brettschneider, Sharon
Sent: Friday, July 15, 2011 12:39 PM
To: 'Conntech@mylist.net'
Subject: [Conntech] State Library Budget Update
Connecticut Libraries:
The Governor has submitted his Budget Balancing Plan to the legislature. It includes substantial cuts to the State Library’s budget. We will be cut by approximately one quarter or $2,760,034. The details of the Plan are available at:
http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/budget/2012_midterm_budget/budget_balancing_plan_july_15.pdf
The reductions include:
A substantial reduction in State Library personnel (10 positions)
A substantial reduction in operating expenses
Over one-half reduction in library materials
Elimination of the remaining funding for State Grants to Public Libraries
Elimination of funding for the Connecticut Library Consortium
Elimination of the state-wide catalog (reQuest). If this plan is implemented reQuest will be unavailable as of September 1st. The State Library will make every effort to mitigate the impact of this reduction and to maintain access to the iCONN databases.
iCONN databases will be maintained at the current level. No additional databases will be added as planned (CINAHL full-text and national newspapers).
Elimination of the Computer Access Program. This has no impact on libraries.
There is a small reduction in Connecticar which will not impact delivery services.
There will be no further reduction in Connecticard.
Not all these reductions were at the discretion of the State Library. We were not allowed to call for reductions of any service mandated by statute – by a definition provided by OPM. This prevented some recommendations such as closing either service center.
Please remember that all of these reductions could be rescinded if the unions reconsider their rejection of the concession agreement. This will probably not be settled until the end of August.
The State Library regrets these reductions and remains committed to work with the library community to mitigate their impact.
Sharon Brettschneider
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 060106
860-757-6665
ct.webjunction.org
sharon.brett@ct.gov