March 31, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Glen Rock Residents urged to speak out about funding cuts by John Koster Glen Rock Adult and Technical Librarian Laurie Feisthammel urges residents to make their feelings known on the plans to save $1 per capita for New Jersey residents through state library funding cuts that could eliminate interlibrary loans as early as this summer and could terminate summer reading programs after this year. “The $10 million in library program cuts from the (Governor Chris Christie’s) budget represent little more than $1 per capita in state funds, but they will have a major impact in terms of the lack of services they will cause,” Feisthammel said. “Library programs have been flat funded for 20 years. Last year, libraries absorbed a loss of $2.7 million in state funding. Libraries are incredibly efficient in the limited funds that we have available, but we cannot continue providing many important services if we are also hit with this devastating cut.” If the cuts are approved, she said, the interlibrary loan that enables students and scholars to borrow books from outside the State of New Jersey will be terminated on June 30. BCCLS – the Bergen County Cooperative Library Service – would probably be unable to pick up the slack, and could also terminate in June or at the end of the year. JERSEYCONNECT would also cease at the end of June, she said. “Many people have been coming to the library for Internet access to apply for jobs, obtain tax forms, or research unemployment benefits. Many libraries would lose the Internet connection that is very well used and so desperately needed by their communities,” Feisthammel added. The state’s summer reading program, which is very well attended in Glen Rock and other local communities, would not be funded after this summer. The state provides prepared programs, graphics, forms, an interpretive plan, and general support for the summer reading program. The proposed cut of half of libraries’ per capita state aid, projected for this July, would mean that the Glen Rock Library would have to reduce the purchase of DVDs by half. Glen Rock allows residents with BCCLS cards to take out DVDs for free. Job search assistance, educational resources for public school and college students, free cultural events, affordable family programs, and special services for sight-impaired and hearing-impaired residents would all be cut, Feisthammel said. She urged residents to contact their legislators and urge that library funding not be targeted for state budget trimming. Poverty Project plans auction, seeks original artwork and photos The Glen Rock Poverty Project is requesting donations of original artwork and framed photographs for a May 1 benefit auction. Proceeds from the auction, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the Glen Rock Community Church, will help The Glen Rock Poverty Project and Houses to Homes to build a school in Guatemala. “Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and we are pleased to be engaged in a practical solution,” said Beth Fernandez, founder of the Glen Rock Poverty Project. In past years, the Glen Rock Poverty Project has helped construct a Habitat for Humanity house in Paterson, provided PlayPump wells in sub-Saharan Africa, and purchased mosquito netting to fight malaria in Haiti, even before the group’s recent fundraising effort for earthquake relief. The donated art and framed photographs should be on hand by April 15. 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