Funding for FL Library Cooperatives Vetoed

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Governor Rick Scott recently vetoed funding for Florida Library Cooperatives, including the NE Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN). NEFLIN provides cost-effective services to the Jacksonville Public Library, including valuable training for library staff. We encourage you to write to Governor Scott to voice your opposition to this veto. You can e-mail Governor Scott from his website.

The program is an integral part of the provision of library service to Floridians. It supports interlibrary loan of materials among libraries across the state, administers the Ask-A-Librarian reference service, and provides critically needed training for library staff.  The Library Cooperative Grants are necessary for the cooperatives’ operation and without this or replacement funding, the cooperatives will go away.

The Library Cooperatives also help libraries participate in Interlibrary Loan in a variety of ways.  They help libraries maintain their records in a national database so their books can be discovered by those needing them and requested.  Some manage subscriptions for record loading and Interlibrary Loan, and they all provide training for library staff. In short, Cooperatives play an important role in the provision of library services to Floridians.  If they are not around, another way will have to be found to provide the services.  Library Cooperatives can’t survive long without state funding.

Make your voice heard! Click here to download a sample letter expressing your opposition to Governor Scott’s veto. Feel free to personalize the letter explaining how much these valuable services mean to you and your family.

Letter: City residents should decide library funding

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Take a look at this letter published in the Florida Times-Union this week, reminding all of us to let our elected officials know we support our libraries. It only takes a minute to let your City Council member and the mayor know how important libraries are to you. To locate your elected officials, simply visit the JaxGIS Neighborhood Search and enter your address.

[Florida Times-Union]

City Council members present resolution at Main Library

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Yesterday, the library marked National Library Workers Day and National Library Week with the presentation of a City Council resolution recognizing the library’s contributions to the community. Council members Doyle Carter, John Crescimbeni and Jim Love presented a framed resolution to Jim Selzer, chairman of the board of library trustees.

[jaxdailyrecord.com]

How to help: Writing your elected officials

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This is National Library Week, the perfect opportunity to write your elected officials to let them know how important libraries are to you and your community.

Your message will make a difference! Please take just a few minutes to send a quick message to them from your state library association’s take action page: http://capwiz.com/ala/fl

Libraries continue to be busier than ever helping families, students, seniors, etc., during these tough times. But as we know, public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries are still struggling to maintain budgets, staff, and resources to serve the needs of their communities. Your state government provides much needed funding for libraries to provide public access to the Internet to everyone, critical databases for individuals and small businesses, homework help, and much more.

National Library Week Video Contest

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During their recent stop in Jacksonville, the cast of the touring musical “Jersey Boys” stopped by the library to show us some love. Share your library love by creating your own short video in support of the Jacksonville Public Library. All entries will be featured on our official YouTube channel and the top three winners will have their videos featured on our website.


Contest Details
All participants in the video entries must complete the image release form. The contest entrant must be either a Duval County resident or library card holder. Entries will be accepted April 9 through May 9, 2012. Judging will be based on script, performance, creativity and the use of the library’s slogan, “Start Here. Go Anywhere.” Limit video length to 30 seconds maximum. The video must be family-friendly. Winners will be contacted by May 22, 2012. See entry form/image release form for full contest rules and details.

National Library Week is Here!

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It’s National Library Week! This week, we celebrate the contributions of our library and librarians—and the importance of libraries nationwide. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and local libraries throughout the nation each April.

Did You Know?

  • Jacksonville Public Library customers saved more than $112 million last year by checking out library materials instead of buying them.
  • More than 165,000 area children and teens attended library programs last year – nearly the entire youth population of Duval County.
  • In Fiscal Year 2011, more than 7,500 individuals received job training and placement services through WORKSource at the library.

For more facts about JPL’s impact on the community, check out our Value Sheet.

City Council Resolution
City Councilmen John Crescimbeni and Doyle Carter will recognize National Library Week with a presentation of a City Council resolution to the Jacksonville Public Library for the many contributions it makes to the betterment of our community. Everyone is invited to attend.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 10 – Noon                            
WHERE: Main Library, Zimmerman Overlook – 303 Laura St. N. – 32202