Illinois Library Systems Funding Crisis

* It is believed in good faith that the following content can be found in the Fall 2010 edition of the Tartan Tidings and is for general reference and/or research purposes only.  For further information regarding the information listed here, please contact The Village of Midlothian in Midlothian, Illinois. *

As you know, the State of Illinois is experiencing serious financial problems.  This situation is having an immediate effect on public libraries.  Despite not having a budget increase in the last 20 years and surviving a substantial decrease last year, Illinois' nine library systems have cut nearly all staff and services.  This includes our system, the Metropolitan Library System (MLS).  Two of the most important services impacted by this lack of state funding are the shared online catalog 9SWAN) and van delivery of materials between libraries in the state (Interlibrary Loan).  MLS has made it their priority to try to keep these two services going as long as possible.  The possible effects of this lack of funding MAY be:  Limits to the number of items that may be borrowed from other libraries; Longer waiting periods for items requested from other libraries; The elimination of special programs, such as the Museum Pass program; The elimination of some databases and group purchases that had been administered by MLS.

If you feel that it is important for these services to be maintained, please contact your state legislator and Governor Pat Quinn and ask the state to release the funding that was budgeted for library systems for this year.