The Friday Follow-up: Your Only Action as Library Leader

 
• •4.3% increase in State Aid to member libraries
• •$130,376 increase in STLS Construction Aid to member libraries
• •$202,000 increase in Bullet Aid to member libraries
• •Lowest Cost Share increases in 20 years due to increases in State Aid

 
2017 is not looking so great. Recent State of the State reports show Governor Cuomo is looking to cut library funding by 4.3%. This means even if the Assembly and Senate agree to increases we will be back to 2015 levels. Bottom line it’s a cut.

I know advocacy can seem “unimportant”. “I am only one person.” “What does it matter if I don’t call or write?” I assure you it is important because it is the collective of STLS librarians and trustees who call that makes the difference.

The gains last year were due to STLS directors and trustees visiting legislators. STLS’ state representatives received some of the highest number of emails across the State. 4 of our 6 reps ranked in the Top 30. 2 in the Top 15. This was because of you, and it is no coincidence we obtained $200,000 additional dollars in Bullet Aid as a result.

I only ask you to do 1 of 3 things in the coming days as Library Leader. They are listed below. Please consider the first of these options. It is simple, the most effective and will only take 60 seconds of your time.

1. Click Here to Participate in our Phone Campaign (Best Advocacy) I promise, librarian introverts, this is as easy as sending email and carries the most weight. The speech is provided, and the only question you have to answer is, “what is your zip code?” Please highly consider (60 second time commitment).

2. Click Here to Participate in our Email Campaign (Good Advocacy) This is a simple email message that is sent to the Governor’s inbox. All you need to do is provide basic contact information and click submit (30 second time commitment).
 
3. Click Here to Participate in our Letter Campaign (Personal Advocacy) This link will provide a you a letter template and address for Governor Cuomo. You can also take the time to write your own personal library story if choose not to use the template. (10 minute time commitment).

Everyone can play a role when it comes to advocacy. And we need it now more than ever. Most economic indicators say the economy is good, but yet our Governor is proposing library cuts. Something doesn’t make sense. Thank you for your consideration and support.

Kindest Regards,

Brian Hildreth, Executive Director
Southern Tier Library System

Read past Friday Follow-ups: http://www.stls.org/blog