Legislature Majority Leader Calls on New York State to Maintain Funding Levels for Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries

Erie County, NY - Erie County Legislator and Majority Leader Timothy Meyers, D- Cheektowaga, sponsored a unanimous resolution requesting the Governor restore funding levels for libraries across Erie County in his 2021 budget proposal. The resolution identified key factors that make library funding crucial especially this year, including public internet access for the upcoming 2020 census.

“While the amount of money our libraries stand to lose may seem small in terms of the state budget, that money has an enormous impact here on our programs and staffing. When we know specific digital deserts exist across this county in parts of Cheektowaga and the City of Buffalo, the last thing we can afford is to have less availability at our public libraries because we don’t have to staff to keep the doors open, “said Meyers.

Mary Jean Jakubowski, Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, said “Libraries, as we all know, do a lot, with a little.  And we always step up to the plate to help when help is needed.  We are truly grateful for the funding we receive from the County and the State.  We will continue to do our best to be here for our communities in as many capacities as possible; however, any cut will impact us and those we serve”.

The library system would also stand to lose significant construction aid from New York State, even on some projects currently underway. Without expected state aid, many projects would have to be halted and possibly even reconsidered. “Erie County has been able to make improvements to library buildings because of New York Library Construction Aid. Losing almost $1 million dollars would make a lot of these upgrades impossible. Erie County taxpayers are also New York State taxpayers, and our libraries deserve their fair share,” Meyers continued.

The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library system is currently spearheading a “Get Counted @ Your Library” program in preparation for the 2020 Census. For information on these events, please visit their website at www.buffalolib.org.

###