Due to last year’s state budget cuts to the Power Library, Novelist (the reader’s advisor database) was not renewed, and is no longer available to library users in PA. Read More »
We have received an update from the Commonwealth Libraries as far as what electronic resources we will be able to offer you via the statewide Power Library as of February 1, 2010:
POWER Library Network 2010
General Periodical Resources (H.W. Wilson)
Newspaper Resources (Gale)
Business Resources (ProQuest ABI Inform)
Contemporary Authors
AP Photo Archive
Resources that will be going away as of February 1 include:
Oxford Art Online
Oxford Music Online
Business Source Premier
DartClix
MasterFile Premiere
Auto Repair Reference Center
NetLibrary ebooks (we will still have access to downloadable AUDIO books)
ERIC
EBSCOost Espanol
Kid’s Search
Oxford Reference Online
Searchasaurus
SIRS Discoverer
Student Research Center
Biography Reference Bank
LitFinder
Facts for Learning
Funk & Wagnall’s new World Encyclopedia
Middle Search Plus
Novelist
Primary Search
As previously reported, the state budget reductions for library resources meant that among other things, some of the databases that the Power Library offers were slated for deletion.
These deletions seem to be due to take place after January 31, 2010. While we have not received confirmation from the state library as of yet, vendors have begun contacting us directly. Here’s what we know so far:
Gone as of February 1, 2010:
Biography Reference Bank
Grove’s Dictionary of Music and musicians
Grove’s Dictionary of Art
Oxford Reference Shelf
EBSCO: including Masterfile Premiere, Business Source Premiere, MAS Ultra School Edition, Middle Search Plus, Primary Search, Newspaper Source, Teacher Reference Center, and the Auto Repair Reference Center. Curiously, Novelist does not seem to be on the current “cut” list.
Ebsco in particular was sort of a shocker for us: and we are waiting for the final list or clarification from the Commonwealth Libraries. As soon as I learn more, I will post here.
The House has approved a final budget, and the Senate is expected to confirm it, so here’s where public library funding ended up:
Direct aid to public libraries was cut by 20.1%. While this is better than some of the proposals that were out there, it will impact our direct funding, and we are already at work on how this shortfall will be managed.
More drastic is the 73% cut to the statewide library access programs: this line item includes AskHerePA (our 24/7 virtual reference service); the Access PA database (a union catalog used by libraries across the state for interlibrary loan activities); the Power Library (the bulk of our online e-resources such as EbscoHost); the statewide library card service; and IDS, the interlibrary delivery service. What happens to these programs is in the hands of the Commonwealth Libraries, and I am sure they are taking a deep breath as they work on how to best proceed. Once we know their plans, we will then need to re-adjust what services we are able to offer you, our patrons.
There is no question that there will be service impacts. With the best will in the world, we, our fellow libraries, and the state library system cannot absorb cuts such as these while keeping them invisible to the public. But, “better the devil you know”. As always, we will do our level best to serve you.
After weeks of deals, semi-deals, and dead-end journeys, we finally may be nearing a real conclusion to the state budget. All sides seem to be closing in on a new budget that spends $27.834 billion. In this plan, the Public Library Subsidy would be funded at $60 million (a 21% reduction), Library Access at $3 million, and the Electronic Library Catalog would be zeroed out and merged with Library Access.
Still no word on specific budget line items under the agreement announced last Friday night. Obviously, not knowing what’s in the deal for libraries is stressful and worrisome. The truth is, we don’t really know at this point hether to be relieved or enraged.
Here’s what we do know:
1. Leaders in the legislature hint that it might be another week before all of the specifics are known fully and released to the public.
2. A steady outpouring of calls and emails from library supporters may prove to be pivotal in what we assume to be the crucial final days of this protracted process.
3. Under the overall spending total agreed to ($27.945 million), adjustments continue to be made to program line items. An article in the September 22 edition of the Allentown Morning Call written by Marc Levy of the Associated Press notes that Senate Majority Leader, Dominic Pileggi, reports that “budgetmakers are still discussing how to spend approximately $100 million.” Without question, library supporters can suggest the best and most cost-effective investment of any such unallocated revenue. If you feel moved to offer such suggestions, visit our webpage at http://www.bapl.org/savelibrary.html. And thank you for your support.
Due to the current budget impass in PA, the entire Free Library of Philadelphia system is scheduled to close October 2. Another nail in the coffin as far as PA libraries are concerned. You may well be asking yourself why you should care, besides the compassion you might feel for the people of Philadelphia who will be completely without library service. Well, here are two thoughts to ponder. First, the Free Library of Philadelphia is one of the major research libraries in the state, and in the country. Second, if you use our Interlibrary Loan system you have probably at some point received books borrowed from their collections. That collection will not be available for us to borrow from. Nor will we have their unique special collections available as a reference resource for us, or for you. If you doubt me, visit their website at http://www.library.phila.gov/ . If you feel like saying a little something to your representative go to our web page at http://www.bapl.org/savelibrary.html
On Tuesday, the PA House voted to not concur with the latest Senate-passed budget plan. This vote will lead to face-to-face budget negotiations beginning formally next week in a conference committee. The House vote sends the bill back to the Senate where the Senate will disagree next Monday, moving the state budget into direct negotiations among three Senators (2 Rs; 1 D), three Representatives (2 Ds; 1 R), and the Governor’s office. This also means that almost all bets are off in terms of total state spending as well as specific appropriation line items. Read More »