Resolution 092-2010 RESOLUTION NO. 092 -2010
A RESOLUTION BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESPECTFULLY OPPOSING
ANY DECISION BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO CUT
STATE AID TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES; AND DIRECTING THE
CLERK TO FORWARD SAID RESOLUTION TO THE SENATE
PRESIDENT, HOUSE SPEAKER, AND THE E MONROE COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
WHEREAS, Monroe County Public Library System's five community libraries and its
staff of thirty full time equivalent positions (FTE's) serve 40,000 registered users annually,
including 74,000 residents and more than 3.0 million visitors, and house a collection of 207,000
titles; and
WHEREAS, the May Hill Russell Public Library in Key West, founded in 1892, is
South Florida's oldest public library;and
WHEREAS, the five Monroe County libraries are more needed than ever in these tough
economic times to provide, among other things:
• over 8,000 PC and internet sessions per month to the public;
• PC training classes which supply basic and intermediate software training
for improved job skills;and
• a place to meet e-government needs, as the public uses the computers to
access financial aid, veteran's benefits, tax forms, health resources, and
many other social services; and
WHEREAS, the Library's service to visitors supports the local economy and increases
the community's appeal to new business and investments; and
WHEREAS, Monroe Comity's libraries are funded by a combination of local taxes,
Florida State Aid to Libraries grants, and federal Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS) grants,including a"Train the Trainer"IMLS grant; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County libraries have already experienced severe funding cuts in
the past several fiscal years, forcing libraries to cut many services and positions and reduce hours
of operation; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Monroe County libraries received approximately$61,000 in grants
from the Florida State Aid to Libraries program, down from over $200,000 in previous years;
and
Resolution Library Funding Page 1 of 2. Pages
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WHEREAS, it has been brought to the County's attention that on Wednesday, March 10,
2010, the House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development Committees both .
adopted preliminary positions eliminating State Aid to Public Libraries in the State budget for .
the upcoming fiscal year;
NOW THEREFORE, --BE IT RESOLVED BY THE .BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA:
Section 1. Monroe County respectfully.requests that the Florida State legislature oppose
either a reduction in funding for the State Aid to Public Libraries program or
discontinuation of funding for the program for the upcoming fiscal year; and
Section 2. ' The Clerk is hereby directed to forward copies of this resolution to Senate
President Jeff Atwater, House_ Speaker Larry Cretul, Representative Ron Saunders, and
Senator Larcenia.Bullard.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners Of Monroe County, Florida
at a regular meeting held on the 171 day of March, 2010.
Mayor Sylvia Murphy Yes
Mayor Pro Tem Heather Carruthers Yes
Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro Yes
Commissioner George Neugent Yes
Commissioner Kim Wigington Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY,FLORIDA •
�` By.
1M v., +#y u ayor ylvia Murphy
.�,�A TES )ANNY L. KOLHAGE,CLERK n n-1 z; o
s+ court+
BG-vb4.44A-1"4,014..., C:-..—,---,
Deputy Clerk ' r- = r
MONROE COUNTY ATTOBVE\' Q -
A7FROV D.ASdO O a c;
CY�N((''TH A L. HALL
ASSIS NT COUNTY ATTORNEY
Date - (v - 0/O
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BOCC 3/17/2010