CJRLC Blog

The New Jersey Library Association is sponsoring a postcard campaign encouraging the residents of New Jersey to contact their state representatives andGovernor Corzine about the importance of dedicated funding for public libraries.

AGAIN - this is an easy and powerful thing EVERYONE can do!

Everything you need is on the NJLA homepage.

Library Postcard Campaign - Time frame: Jananuary 14-28, 2008 - THAT’S NOW!

As Cheryl O’Connor wrote:
Please be aware of this new NJLA initiative. Some of you will be actively involved as staff in public libraries; and the rest of you should become involved withyour local public library as residents, users and advocates. This impacts each of us one way or the other. It is an opportunity to get involved personally. AND — what a wonderful way for experienced staff and new staff to work toward common goals.

Here are the VERY SIMPLE Instructions
(Available on the NJLA website alongwith the postcard template, information and questions and answers about this campaign)

1. Postcard campaign is to run from January 14 to January 28, 2008.

2. Download the postcard from the NJLA website. You can get two postcards from each sheet. You can get two postcards from each sheet. Photocopy on bright orange paper. We suggest only 65 lb which can be easily copied on a photocopier.

3. Please set up a table in your library where your patrons can sign the postcards. Please have library friends, library trustees, or volunteers ask patrons to fill out postcards. Involve all of your community including your younger patrons who love to write messages. (Library funding is important for their future.)

4. Please ask community groups such as your friends organization, your local service clubs or your local Woman’s club.

5. Each postcard has a place for the patron to write a personal message to Governor Corzine. Make sure the patron includes their name and address on the postcard.

6. A fact sheet on why NJLA is having this campaign and questions about library funding are also on our website. Please leave copies of these materials on the postcard table so that the public can understand why the campaign is needed.

7. Please collect the postcards every few days and mail them back to NJLA as soon as possible. Legislation could move very quickly.

NJLA mailing address is: NJLA, Box 1534, Trenton, NJ 08607

NJLA delivery address (if you are using FedEx, DHL or UPS) is:
NJLA, 4 West Lafayette St., Trenton, NJ 08608.

We do not want the patrons to mail these postcards directly to the Governor. We want to deliver them as a group.

PLEASE NOTE:

Background

Some of the bills introduced in last week’s new Legislative Session will, if passed, impact library funding severely. The NJLA Public Policy Committee is sponsoring a two-week postcard campaign to oppose some of these legislative efforts. Following is the info provided by Pat Tumulty, NJLA Executive Director:

Current Bills in the New Jersey State Legislature affecting libraries, 2008-2009

LIBRARY FUNDING

A1139 (Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) and Assemblyman David Russo (District 40). Removes appropriations for municipal library purposes from the four percent municipal property tax levy cap.
NJLA supports this legislation.

A1265 Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (District 4). Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions.
NJLA opposes this legislation.

S429 Senator Jeff VanDrew (District 1) Permits municipal board of library trustees to transfer surplus funds to municipality for tax relief under certain conditions.
NJLA opposes this legislation.

A1567 Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (District 14) Reduces municipal library tax levy cap from 15% to 4%.
NJLA opposes this legislation.

CONSTRUCTION

S650 Senator Paul Sarlo (District 36) and Senator John Girgenti (District 35) Increases the maximum amount of bonds issued by the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority for the Public Library Project Fund from $45 million to $95 million to provide library construction and technology grants. Co-sponsors are:
Senator Ronald Rice (District 28); Senator Stephen Sweeney (District 3) and Senator Barbara Buono (District 18)
NJLA supports this legislation.

Filed under: Amy