[Conntech] Connecticard Funding

[Sharon Brettschneider]

Connecticard:  one card, one state, one good deal!

Joanne Turschman, State Library Data Coordinator, has completed the
calculations for this year's reimbursements and many libraries will see
significant increases in their Connecticard grant.  Connecticard had
been level funded at $676,028 for several years until Connecticard
became one of CLA's legislative priorities in 2006.  Two years ago CLA's
efforts resulted in an increase of $300,000.  Last year funding was
increased by an additional $250,000, bringing Connecticard funding to
$1,226,028.  These increases have had a significant impact on the amount
of reimbursements libraries will be receiving this month, especially the
net lenders.  The complete payment list is available at
http://ct.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=6030.  

Westport Public Library tops the list at 226,562 net loans and will
receive $97,437.23!  The other top net lenders are, in order, Darien,
Greenwich, Manchester, Lucy Robbins Welles in Newington, Groton,
Fairfield, Henry Carter Hull in Clinton, Danbury, and Farmington.  These
top ten lenders provided 1,387,765 loans to non-residents with 1,126,582
net loans.  In total, Connecticut residents borrowed 4,616,152 items
through the Connecticard system.  

Increases in the funding for Connecticard grant line continues to be a
legislative priority for the State Library and the Connecticut Library
Association. A funding level of $4.5 million will reimburse libraries
for the true cost of providing non-resident loans, but it’s nice to
see the impact of the increases we've been able to achieve thus far. 
You may wish to thank your legislator for supporting increased funding
for Connecticard



_____________________________
Sharon Brettschneider
Director, Division of Library Development
Connecticut State Library
231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT  06106
860-757-6665
sbrett at cslib.org
ct.webjunction.org
Fax 860-757-6665