|
Libraries Seek Funding Restoration
Karen DeWitt
ALBANY, NEW YORK
(2004-11-19)
When Governor Pataki vetoed portions of the state legislature's budget, he rejected extra aid to libraries around the state. Under a deal struck to avert an override vote, Pataki has promised that libraries located in Republican Assembly districts will get their funding, but libraries in districts represented by Democrats, won't. That has libraries, and some of their patrons, upset.
It's story hour at the Pine Hills branch of the Albany Public Library, and on this gray November day, librarian Christina Stenson Carey is reading a book about snow. Carey is, remarkably, keeping the attention of 35 infants and toddlers, sitting with their parents in a semi- circle around her. She manages this by interspersing the stories with singing and dancing.
"I'm a little teapot, short and stout ," the children, and the adults, chant as they act out the lines of the song.
Because Carey works in a library that is within the district of an Assembly Democrat, her program and others in the city's public libraries may not get any increase in state funds this year. Governor Pataki vetoed state library aid from the legislature's budget last summer. When the Assembly tried to override the vetoes, Pataki made a deal with Republican members. If they did not help the Democrats achieve an override, libraries in their districts would get the additional funds. GOP Assemblymembers said the governor assured them he'd use money from a fund Pataki controlled. Democrats would get nothing. Christina Carey says that's unfair.
"It's seems sort of mean spirited of the governor ," she says with a laugh, to soften her words.
Michael Borges, with the New York Library Association, which lobbies on behalf of libraries, says librarians across the state, in districts represented by Democrats and Republicans, are outraged.
"People are angry because they view their jobs as essential public services ," he said. "They are being singled out by the governor to make a point. A political point."
Borges says state library aid has not been increased since 1998. With inflation, that represents a $14 million dollar cut.
Some of the parents who brought their children to the story time were aware of the budget developments, and resented the decisions that had been made.
"I think it's horrific ," said Rachel Kanz, who accompanied her infant daughter, Mica.
Dan Sher talks as his 18-month-old daughter Ella colors in a drawing of a turkey, after the stories are over. He says he's seen Ella gain an interest in reading and verbal skills as a result of attending the story hours.
"She loves singing now, and music ," he said. "She does things that I think, as a stay at home dad, would have been difficult for me to provide her at home on a regular basis."
The Pine Hills library's story hour is not in jeopardy at this time. But librarian Christina Carey says, with more funds, she could hold the readings twice a week. She says the demand is certainly there.
Parent Rachel West jokes that if programs do get cut at Albany's libraries, she and her two year old daughter Elissa could go to a library in a nearby suburb represented by a Republican in the Assembly.
But she says she likes being able to walk to the library.
"In the winter it's nice to get out, it's nice to have the walk with a purpose, and this fun activity ," she said.
Borges, with the Library Association, hopes now that elections are over, some Republican Assemblymembers can be convinced to change their minds and join the Democrats, so there are enough votes for an override in the Assembly. Then all of the libraries could be funded. But the libraries would also have to convince the Republican led State Senate to vote to override. The Senate has no plans to do that at this time.
© Copyright 2008, WXXI
|
