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10,000 Rally Online for Illinois Library System Funding and Get Results

NEWS RELEASE

January 28, 2010

Contact: Judy Hoffman, (847) 353-7137

jhoffman@nsls.info

In just over 24 hours, 10,000 library fans sent more than 20,000 e-mails to the offices of Illinois Governor Quinn and Comptroller Hynes to save essential library system services on the chopping block. The nine regional multi-type library systems flexed their social media muscles to alert the public that due to non-payment of state funds, Illinois residents could soon lose full privileges they currently receive with their public library card, including the ability to check out materials from libraries other than their home library.

The sharing of resources between Illinois libraries depends on the delivery service coordinated by the regional Illinois Library Systems (ILS). Funding for the ILS comes in the form of an annual grant from the Illinois Secretary of State based on appropriations from the General Assembly. Since July 1, the Illinois Library Systems had not received any of their authorized funds.

The online rally began on January 20, and by the morning of January 22, most of the systems had reported receiving a partial payment from the state. The systems received 35% of the 50% that should have been received by December 31.

“This is only a reprieve. The fight to keep our doors open is far from over,” said Beverly Obert, chair of the Illinois Library System Directors Organization, and executive director of the Rolling Prairie Library System. “Where will the remaining 65% come from this fiscal year? We’ve looked at the well from where the rest of our funds should come– and it is almost dry.” Illinois has a $13 billion shortfall for a $26 billion dollar budget.

Last year ILS vans delivered over 28 million items between libraries around the state. “We know that most people have no idea what happens behind the scenes so that they can borrow a book from another library,” said Obert. “In addition to getting us a portion of our funds, we know this campaign greatly increased our profile with the general public.”

Illinois Library Systems partner with the Illinois State Library to coordinate special library services for the blind and physically handicapped, including free talking book and Braille service. This popular resource is also teetering on the brink due to delays in payment from the state. The program has only received 3% of its state funding this fiscal year.

With the campaign, the public also learned how libraries depend on the ILS to negotiate discounts for the wide range of online resources that many would not be able to afford to purchase on their own. The campaign was covered by print and online media throughout the state, as well as ABC television affiliates WICS and WSIL.

The thousands of Illinois residents that participated in the January 20 online rally sent letters to the Governor and Comptroller by an e-mail generated from the “Save Illinois Libraries” website (www.saveillinoislibraries.com). Many followed up with phone calls and faxes. The campaign heavily saturated Twitter, Facebook, and library websites, as well as library and personal blogs. The “Save Illinois Libraries” campaign launched in October, with the initial focus on contacting members of the General Assembly.

“The campaign will continue until our funding is restored,” said Obert. “In addition to our online efforts, we are stepping up our in-person visits with our elected officials, and partnering with other organizations on a statewide budget advocacy campaign.”