BUDGET CUTS
NECESSITATE CHANGES

In these difficult economic times, now more than ever, record numbers of citizens are relying on public libraries. Funding for all Pennsylvania libraries, including the Montgomery County Public Libraries, is in real jeopardy in the upcoming state budget. Help us continue to serve you by contacting your legislator.
What could these cuts mean to our library?
- Hours of service reduced even further.
- Limited Internet access and computer usage
- Further cuts in funds for new books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs.
- No access to the POWER Library databases which are heavily used for students of all ages to aid in their school assignments as well as adults for lifelong learning
- More staff reductions
- Elimination of borrowing of materials from other libraries (ILL or Inter-Library Loans).
-Elimination of AccessPA, which allows PA residents to use most other libraries in the state.
- Elimination of the online 24/7 reference service Ask Here PA.

Please contact your state representative, state senator, Governor Rendell and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to ask for level funding of all library programs in the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget. Tell them why the libraries in Montgomery County make a difference to you and your family and ask them to support level funding for Pennsylvania’s libraries. Your actions can help ensure that library services will be available during these hard economic times for the people who need them the most.

State Senator Daylin Leach
Harrisburg Office
184 Main Capitol | Box 203017
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3017
Phone: (717) 787-5544
Fax: (717) 705-7741

District Office
601 S. Henderson Road | Suite 208
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: (610) 768-4200
Fax: (610) 768-4204

State Representative Tim Briggs
Harrisburg Office
06 East Wing
PO Box 202149
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2149
(717) 705-7011

District Office
677 West DeKalb Pike
2nd Floor
King of Prussia, PA 19406-3065
(610) 768-3135
Fax: (610) 768-3112

To find other legislators go to: www.legis.state.pa.us

Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
PHONE: 717-787-2500
FAX: 717-772-8284
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

Department of Education
Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, Secretary of Education
333 Market St.
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
PHONE: 717-787-5820
gzahorchak@state.pa.us

A LETTER FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Dear Library Users:

The Upper Merion Township Library, like almost all organizations, has suffered a decline in revenues during this severe recession. This has required us to reduce our hours of operation. Effective July 1, 2009, the library will close at 8:00 pm., instead of 9:00 pm., Monday through Thursday. Also, the library will no longer be open on Sundays. The amount of funds spent on books, DVDs, CDs, large print books, and all other print and non-print items has been reduced by $47, 000, approximately 17%.

The library board, staff, and I regret any inconvenience these reductions will cause you, and we look forward to restoring these cuts when the economic climate improves.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Karl Helicher
Director