Federal grant freezes are affecting the local area in more ways than one. As reported, those freezes have put the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District’s plan for electric buses on hold, but now they’re potentially affecting local libraries. And that can affect everything from doing research to simply checking out books.
“If the book system goes dead because we can’t afford to pay for it, you’ll no longer be able to find books on our shelves,” said Kennett Library Executive Director Chris Manna.
He said Pennsylvania gets $10.7 million from the federal government for libraries, and that could dry up if grants stop, affecting all libraries in the state.
“Up to $137,000 annually comes indirectly from IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) through the state of Pennsylvania to the Kennett Library as part of our state appropriation.”
He said research databases that library card holders can access may go unfunded and could shut down. Manna specifically mentioned Power Library, a state-run website that provides research databases and 24/7 chat services.
There’s also LAMP, the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians, which he said helps people who are visually impaired, don’t have the ability to visit a library or are otherwise disabled. Medical research databases accessible to doctors could also close as might several Library of Congress programs and projects.
There are hundreds of databases that are accessible through the Chester County Library System, he said, but they could become inaccessible. Some specific databases that could go be cut include Ancestry.com, Consumer Reports, and auto repair through Chilton could be cut, he said. So could driver test handbooks.
Another database that’s in jeopardy, one used by students and librarians, is Ebsco.
“If you have a child or grandchild that is school age, they likely utilize a backend search software called Ebsco (in their school libraries). This is something every library staff member uses to search for articles, books, and any other kind of material in the U.S. If this loses funding, our children will lose their ability to do their schoolwork/research for projects.”
If funding for that gets cut, the library can’t get books or articles from other parts of the country, he added.
“These are the types of services that are at risk,” Manna said. “If those databases get cut no one can use them…Without getting access because the funding gets cut, now we’re no longer able to request books from another part of the country, no longer able to get access to the article you need for your research paper.”
But the ability to buy books and pay staff is also in jeopardy if libraries lose operational money, and that could impact library users in the eight municipalities serviced by the Kennett Library. Those municipalities include Kennett, New Garden, East and West Marlborough, Newlin, Pocopson, and Pennsbury townships, as well as the borough of Kennett Square.
“Once we start losing funding, we lose the ability to get new books on the shelf,” he repeated, adding, “but we lose the ability to keep staff in the building, keep our lights on. We lose the ability to offer programs or do outreach to schools.”
Manna was asked what people could do to help. He said people can reach out to their local libraries to see if they need contributions. He’d also suggested looking for foundations and philanthropic organizations to possibly fill the financial gap. And while he was reluctant to get into the politics of the situation, he said people should call on their legislators and advocate for libraries.
“Please vote out those who continue to attack libraries. Please know this is not a Democrat versus Republican comment. I am only interested in voting out those who do not support libraries,” he said. “Please tell your friends, and if possible, please donate as much as you can financially to help libraries all across this country continue to serve all. We librarians will all continue to fight, and we would all appreciate your support.”
Rachel Kohl Library Executive Director Susan Sternberg was unavailable to comment for this article.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
Comments