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N.J. libraries face Gov. Chris Christie's 74 percent budget cut

Star-Ledger Staff By Star-Ledger Staff The Star-Ledger
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on April 16, 2010 at 5:35 AM
bridgewater-library-nj-budget-cuts.JPGGov. Chris Christie's proposed cuts to library systems will affect internet access and interlibrary loans. Ross Stander of Bridgewater looks at books in the Bridgewater Branch of the Somerset County Library.

BRIDGEWATER -- The Somerset County Bridgewater Library has a small room, off to the side and out of sight, with four employees who handle interlibrary loan requests.

The library, which is the main branch in Somerset County, moves more than 13,000 books every year to other libraries, a fraction of the more than 3.8 million books that are trucked around the state.

But the popular program, librarians said, is one of several slated to be cut if changes are not made to Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget, which calls for a 74 percent reduction — $10.4 million — in state aid to libraries.


The cuts may also result in some libraries reducing hours and a small number of layoffs, but the most direct impact is to some of libraries’ most often used resources.

Maryann Raimo, 67, of Monroe Township, said she uses the interlibrary loan service at least a few times a month.

"I use it because when I can’t get a book, it’s my only recourse unless I want to buy the book and I really don’t want to do that," she said.

In addition to the interlibrary loan program, the governor has proposed eliminating funding for RefUSA and EBSCOhost, two databases that provide free access to thousands of newspapers, magazines and periodicals. Also, free internet access is in jeopardy, said Patricia Tumulty, executive director of the New Jersey Libraries Association.

The state has cut funding for the Internet. While federal funds will make up for that loss this year, libraries could lose about $4.5 million in federal matching funds next year because of the state’s reductions.

"This kind of cut is devastating to libraries and to the people who use them," said Anita Freeman, Randolph Township’s library director.

The governor’s cuts also include a 50 percent reduction in direct aid and the elimination of all funding to the state’s four regional cooperatives, which help local branches keep costs down by providing greater purchasing power.

This week is National Library Week and librarians across the state are organizing their opposition to the proposed cuts.

"Everyone acknowledges New Jersey has a financial problem and we expected cuts, but this is out of proportion," said Joanne Roukens, executive director of the Highlands Regional Library Cooperative, which serves seven counties in northern New Jersey.

The state, facing a $10.7 billion budget gap, had little choice but to make painful cuts in every area, said Christie spokesman Mike Drewniak.

"Like so many things we cut to balance a budget, this too was a difficult choice we wish we didn’t have to make," Drewniak said in an e-mail. "The budget cuts were across the board."

Tumulty said cutting spending is understandable but Christie is wielding a hatchet, not a scalpel.

"This takes our funding back to the 1970s when only books were required for library service," Tumulty told the Senate Budget Committee last month, "not computers, the internet or electronic resources."

Christie’s cuts were announced the same day Assemblyman John DiMaio (R-Warren) introduced a bill that would eliminate the minimum funding municipalities are required to provide their libraries.

"Libraries are a great service, and they do a great job for all of us," DiMaio said. "But right now we are in some very difficult times, and we need to take some severe measures to get our ship back in order."

Cedar Grove is considering its own severe measure, closing its library for the remainder of the year, because state regulations prevent the council from reducing the library’s $840,000 budget.

"The funding mechanism is not fair and equitable during the financial crisis we’re going through," Mayor Joseph Chiusolo said.

Cuts to libraries could not come at a worse time, Tumulty said. As is common in recessions and periods of high unemployment, library usage has spiked in the past couple years.

Libraries have reported a 10 percent jump in patronage, Tumulty said, with many coming in to take advantage of the free internet to search or apply for jobs.

By Dan Goldberg and Stephen Stirling/For The Star-Ledger

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