From KSPR:
Gov. Jay Nixon said on Friday that an increase in state revenue lets him release budgeted funds that he withheld last June.
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The article includes the full text of a statement from the Springfield-Greene County Libraries. Here’s a portion of it:
“Springfield-Greene County Libraries and those statewide will be among the entities that will share the $43 million in funding released by Gov. Jay Nixon. He said Friday he plans to release $43 million of funds immediately after the state took in higher general revenues in March.
“The Springfield-Greene County Libraries joined in a letter-writing and online petition effort with library districts statewide in recent months appealing the governor to release funds critical to the operation of libraries and Internet access for the public. His action released all the monies that he had withheld from state libraries in cities with populations of over 40,000.
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“Statewide, libraries will receive more than $2.7 million in state aid and $3.1 million for Internet access. We thank the Governor for this support of Missouri libraries,” Cooper added. “We also thank everyone who got behind this effort to let the Governor know how important this money is to our library users.”
The report also includes the full text of a statement from the Governox Nixon.
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From the KC Star:
After much protesting and petitioning, the #saveMOlibraries movement paid off. Nixon released $43 million in state funds, including about $6 million for libraries, that he had withheld because of budget concerns. Apparently March was a good month for state revenue.
The cut would have sliced deep into the Kansas City Public Library. The missing $100,000 would have led to reductions in staff and materials. Now branches can get back to serving 185,000 Kansas Citians a month without that stress.
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While we celebrate this victory, we must remain committed to the cause, said Wick Thomas, the youth services librarian at the Plaza Branch and one of the voices lobbying to protect the libraries.
The budget for next year is still up for debate. Contact your state reps to ensure the library maintains its funds. They’re a vital institution to every city, says Wick, 28, who has been at the Kansas City Public Library for seven years. The Kansas City library system brings in about 2,800 new members a month.
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