Library State Aid has a long history of encouraging library development across the state. The grant provides a large share of support for rural libraries, and has been the impetus for urban libraries to form systems and extend services to residents who live in unincorporated areas.
State Aid provides the only standards that have to be met by local government. Each library system receiving state funding has to have a full time head librarian with a masters in library science from an accredited library school. A State Aid library also has to have one outlet open 40 hours and have an approved long range plan. This is not much, but at least we have it. If State Aid goes away, Florida's residents will lose access to free information and opportunities for lifelong learning. We know that successful adult learners take advantage of all learning opportunities, including those at their library.
Rural libraries get State Aid equalization grants which allow them to extend hours, provide basic collections and more more. It provides 100% support for rural multicounty systems in Florida, and a large % of support for local rural libraries. A loss in State Aid will result in drastic cuts in our small towns.
Floridians who care plan to show up at the state capital at 1 pm today to express their views....
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