Area Librarians Meet With State Senator

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by Thelma Sardin

A group of librarians recently met with State Senator Emil Jones III (14th Dist.) at the Blue Island Public Library. The Senator met with the librarians to discuss Illinois economy and funding for libraries. Several pieces of legislation that are currently under review in the state Senate were highlighted in the conversation. According to a recent press release, Senate Bill 2192 is a measure that amends the State Finance Act to create the Public Library Support Fund.

If the bill is passed, the fund will be used to provide grants to libraries where 30 percent or more of the residents are at or above the federal poverty level. The legislation will ensure that libraries in impoverished areas remain open to serve its surrounding community.

Libraries are critical to achievement and success. There are studies that show that the more kids read, the more success they will have in the future. It is important to continue to foster legislation that encourages libraries and other education centers to stay open and functional, Senator Jones said.

Across the border in Gary, Indiana, residents will be losing its main library. Last week officials announced that the citys main library would be closing.

According to a WBBM-AM 780 report, the librarys board members had to decide between keeping the facility open at $2 million per year or closing each of the library systems five branches which cost between $200,000 to $500,000.

The library board voted 4-3 to close the main library and one branch at the end of 2011.

Local libraries have also been faced with financial woes in recent years.

In 2009, NBA star Dwayne Wade donated $25,000 to the William Leonard Library in RobbinsWades hometown.

Congressman Bobby Rush secured $50,000 in funds for the library but more money was needed to ensure the facility remained opened.

Senator Jones said that Senate Bill 2192 will help communities such as Robbins. This will be a great tool for struggling communities with libraries, he said.

Senator Jones said the bill will probably come to vote in the Senate this week.

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