Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell followed through July 1 on her promise to veto the legislature’s June 26 budget for FY2009–11 that would have restored library funding to FY2008 levels. The governor’s original budget recommendation (PDF file) called for the elimination of some $5 million in state aid that libraries expected to receive, including the Department of Information Technology’s Connecticut Education Network, which subsidizes internet connections for schools and libraries statewide. Legislative leaders will be in talks with Gov. Rell over the summer to work on a final budget. ALA has urged Connecticut legislators to reject the governor’s plan….

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Harvard College Library has eliminated over 20 staff positions and cut hours for several other employees as part of the university-wide layoffs announced in late June. An all-staff meeting will be held later this summer to discuss plans in the wake of the recent reductions, according to Harvard College Librarian Nancy M. Cline. The library cuts come as a result of a projected $220-million annual deficit by fiscal year 2011….

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The Ohio Senate passed a continuing resolution and approved an interim budget June 29 in order to work out an impasse over how to fill a $3.2-billion hole in its $54-billion budget. The interim budget would run through July 7, giving legislators another week to balance the two-year spending plan that was to start July 1. The measure will fund state programs at 70% of the current level, a reduction that will not apply to library funding. The budget process is now in the negotiation stage….

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The Calcasieu Parish (La.) Public Library wants everyone to know how much their patrons love to read. Students who complete the requirements for the library’s summer reading program will be given a yard sign that says, “A library champion lives here.” Readers who complete their reading logs will receive a certificate of completion and yard sign and will be entered in the grand prize drawing….
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If delivery trucks driving around Johnson County, Kansas, emblazoned with ads for peculiar businesses prompt some double-takes, they’re doing their job. Kafka’s Pest Control? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’s Pharmacy? Four literary-themed trucks are part of a new PR campaign for the Johnson County Library. The newly illustrated trucks have been transporting books among the system’s 13 libraries since late June….

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Since January 2009, Ohio public libraries have lost approximately 20% of their state funding. Currently Gov. Ted Strickland has proposed an additional 30% reduction. ALA President Jim Rettig released a statement in response to the proposed library budget cuts: “What will happen to the people of Ohio if their right to free access to information is taken away?” Rettig asked. “The governor’s drastic proposed library budget cuts are the largest in history and will impact more than 8 million registered library card holders.”…

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Summer reading programs like the one offered at the Fanwood (N.J.) Memorial Library play a critical role in a child’s educational development, according to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. On June 22, Duncan joined New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine at the library to launch a national campaign called United We Serve, promoting volunteerism and community involvement….

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Science-fiction author Ray Bradbury, 88, ventured to the Ventura College Theatre June 20 for a benefit for the H. P. Wright branch of the Ventura County (Calif.) Library, which like many others in the state’s public system is in danger of shutting its doors because of budget cuts. Property tax dollars have fallen precipitously, putting the library system roughly $650,000 in the hole. Almost half of that amount is attributed to the H. P. Wright Library, which serves roughly two-thirds of Ventura….

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A large crowd gathered outside the Cleveland Public Library July 24 in one of the first of many public rallies protesting Gov. Strickland’s massive proposed budget cuts to libraries. Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Regina Brett’s editorial reflects the sentiments of many Ohioans as library services, hours, and staff are about to be lost unless the legislature rejects this measure on June 30. According to reports, the governor’s office has fielded nearly 14,000 emails from angry constituents over the proposed cuts. His phone line seized operation on June 22 because of the influx of calls. If you are tweeting on the situation in Ohio, add the #saveohiolibraries hash tag to help make this a Twitter Trending Topic…

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The life and accomplishments of civil rights pioneer and library advocate Alma Jacobs were celebrated outside the Great Falls (Mont.) Public Library June 20 during a dedication of a new plaza fountain in her memory. Jacobs was the first black librarian in Montana and later served as head librarian in Great Falls from 1954 to 1973. One of Montana’s most prominent black leaders, she also served as the state librarian from 1973 to 1982. Watch the news video (2:20)….

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