Texas Legislature Restores $7.5 Million in Public Library Funding

The $7.5 million restores about 1/4 of the approx. $30 million in funding that was cut by the legislature during 2011.
the From an Op-Ed in the Alice Echo News-Journal by  State Representative, J.M. Lozano:

One outcome of the 83rd Legislature was to restore $7.5 million in critical funding for libraries in the areas of digital content, like learning and workforce development tools. These resources- including e-books, tutorials, online journals, research materials, and certification prep tests- are available through our local library. All you need is your local library card.

Read the Complete Op-Ed
Background from Rep. Ed Thompson (Posted on December 3, 2013):

In 2011, the statewide library budget was cut by nearly $30 million. Fortunately, the 83rd Legislative Session brought back about $7.5 million in order to rebuild and strengthen public libraries across the state. These funds are utilized in a number of ways to improve the Texas library system, including improved accessible digital content through the TexShare database program.
“During the 83rd Legislature, my colleagues and I worked to restore much-needed funding to our state’s libraries,” Representative Ed Thompson stated. “These additional funds contribute to the TexShare database program, which allows Texans to access all kinds of educational resources through their local library.”

See Also: From (January 16, 2012; via LJ): “The New Normal: Annual Library Budgets Survey 2012”

In July [2011], Gov. Rick Perry signed a new state biennial budget (FY12/13) that reduced state funding for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by 64 percent and cut state funding for the agency’s library programs by 88 percent.
“Everybody is just shaking their heads because this is more drastic than any measures we’ve seen in the past, and I’ve been around Texas libraries for more than 40 years,” Jerilynn Williams, president of the Texas Library Association and director at Montgomery County Library, said at the time.

Hat Tip: Against-The Grain

Filed under: Archives and Special Collections, Funding, Libraries, News, Public Libraries