LISNews: Librarian News

"Already operating with fewer books, employees and dollars, the Washington State Library is facing more budget cuts — and this time, some valuable federal papers are at stake."

"Gov. Gary Locke's 2003-05 budget proposes to severely cut the library, which took a big hit last year but avoided closure. The Senate's adjustments to the current budget, the supplemental budget, call for cuts to the library before June 30." (from Seattle Times)

The Ledger has one of the strongest worded Articles Yet on the closing of the Florida State Library.
They say the closing undermines years of careful work by professionals, is a display of contempt, it\'s bad for Florida and shows his total disdain for our state\'s rich history. They add, Bush has shown time and again an astonishing disregard for the state\'s cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd told Tallahasseeans on Thursday there is \"huge support\" in the Legislature for saving the State Library. Secret actions used against state archives, Genealogists, librarians, historians draw list of options to battle Bush\'s plan, and on the bright side of this, Vast collection could boost Nova library.

The Orlando Sentinel Says despite mounting public opposition, including more than 7,000 petition signatures protesting a proposed breakup of the 150-year-old Florida State Library, a deal is quietly being negotiated that could move much of the library\'s massive collection from the state capital to a private university in South Florida.

Stronger Words From FloridaToday where they say Jeb Bush is making war on the state\'s history. They also say this is an \"obviously ill-conceived idea\", and it, \"shows he has no grasp of his position as a protector of the public trust\"

Steve Fesenmaier writes \"At the spring conference for librarians held each year in Flatwoods, \"Spring Fling,\" I will be presenting my most intense two hours ever. First WV filmmaker and BJ Gudmundsson will be talking about how public libraries can help local filmmakers make local history films. They have made two so far and are starting a third. Next, Jean Battlo, McDowell County author, playwright, and filmmaker will present \"Smilin Sid,\" discuss her new history of the county, and maybe show some of her 18-hour doc on the floods of 2001. Third, Mari-Lynn Evans, Braxton County native, will talk about her almost $2 million history of Appalachia that will air on PBS next fall. Finally, I will be premiering a new doc on \"The Library in Crisis,\" a new film by Canadian filmmaker Julian Samuel. ( I have been working with Samuel on pt.2 of this film, exploring the international and American angles on the crisis. The first mainly covers Canadian realities.) Also coming as a late addition is Bryson Vannostrand, the Buckhannon architect who has opened WV\'s first micro-cinema, the Lascaux Micro-Theater. If you want to come to the event, contact me at: 1-800-642-9021 X 2015 or e-mail me. I really believe that there is no reason why every county in the world cannot work with local filmmakers and create their own local history film projects.
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