Governor Gregoire's proposed budget for 2010 contains steep cuts to the Washington State Library (WSL). The cuts are so steep they not only threaten the integrity of the agency but also many of the programs and services being offered by Whitman County Library.

The governor's proposed cut of 15% to the State Library translates to an actual decrease of 30% because it is retroactive back to July of 2009. These cuts are so steep that the agency risks losing the Maintenance of Effort or matching funds required for federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. These are the grant funds that Whitman County Library so often uses to boost materials, programs and services.

Administrators at Whitman County are asking local legislators to see that $987,000 be restored to Washington State Library's budget in order to preserve federal funds that last year amounted to $3,328,627 for Washington States libraries, of which a significant portion came right back to Whitman County.

Locally, these federal funds have supported everything from summer reading kick-off programs and the library's van to major technology upgrades and staff training. In the early nineties, when Whitman County Library was in dire straits, consultants and federal funding administered by Washington State Library helped turn the district around.

In the last year, Federal funds to Whitman County Library have supported special children's programs delivered to county elementary schools, a number of student support and educational programs delivered to junior and high school students, WORC unemployment and skills training classes happening in Pullman and all Whitman County towns, the Rural Heritage Historical Preservation project, online newspaper and magazines in public and school libraries, online 24/7 librarian service, staff and trustee training. In addition, federal subsidies will allow the library to begin offering audio book downloads from the website as early as March.

If you are interested in learning more visit the Washington State Library website, a division of the Secretary of States Office, the Friends of Washington State Library website or by calling Kristie Kirkpatrick, Whitman County Library director at 509-397-4366. Legislators can be reached online or by calling the legislative hotline toll-free at 800-562-6000.

Following is contact information for local legislators:

• Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District, Washington State Senate, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, 98504-0600 or schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7620
  
• Rep. Joe Schmick, 9th Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600 or schmick.joe@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7844
  
• Rep. Susan Fagan, 9th Legislative District, Washington State House of Representatives, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600, fagan.susan@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7942 
  

.For more information, contact:

Kristie Kirkpatrick at 509-397-4366

For a complete list of events and programs happening in all fourteen Whitman County Library branches, visit the Whitman County Library website or the library's events calendar or call the library at 397-4366 or 877-733-3375 toll-free.