By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-966870.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Florida's public librarians are breathing sighs of relief after Tuesday's budget deal keeps their funding in place. Lynn Hatter reports.
In order to hold on to federal dollars, the libraries needed 21.2-million. Tuesday brought good news when Paul Clark, known around the Capital as "the Library Guy" for his lobbying efforts, learned that not only had lawmakers agreed to the 21.2-million- they added in an extra 100-thousand dollars.
"The money is really important, especially for rural counties, about 33 of the 67 counties here in Florida, that money represents almost 20-percent of their total income, and when you start taking away anything, you're taking away services they provide to the public."
Today's libraries do more than just store dusty old books. They also hold literacy classes and provide internet access to people who don't have it.