The recently passed 2009-2010 budget will greatly affect the Schlow Centre Region Library, levying a more than 20% reduction in the library’s annual appropriation.

The reduction has caused the library to reevaluate many of its programs (Updated 5:14 pm: the following are contingent on Schlow not getting additional funding):

• Power Library (online databases and study resources) will be eliminated.
• Daily Delivery among PA libraries for interlibrary loan and easy returns to your nearest library will be cut.
• Statewide library card program which allows you to borrow items from another library without paying non-resident fee will no longer exist.
• AskHere PA (24 hour chat with librarians for research purposes) will be cut by half.

The library also plans to reduce its staff and adjust its hours of operation

Never been to the Schlow Library? It’s a cool building, and a great study spot, seldom used by Penn State students. It’s a shame that the state’s budgetary pressures are affecting public libraries. As the quote on the front of Pattee says, The true university is a collection of books.

The Schlow Library is asking for your help, requesting that you “write a personal letter to your legislators asking them to maintain level funding for libraries. Show them what Schlow and all public libraries mean to you.”