Testimony of Patricia A. Tumulty, Executive Director, before the Assembly Budget Committee (March 29, 2005)

I am testifying in support of the funding for library programs administered by the New Jersey State Library. Since 1995, the State Library has been affiliated with Thomas Edison State College. That affiliation was made permanent with the passage of legislation in July 2001. Many of the information services supported by this budget and provided by the State Library are available to every school, public and academic library through the statewide interlibrary loan program, the 24x7 Virtual Library and statewide database collections of magazines, newspapers and other electronic information resources. These resources are provided to all residents either in their local libraries or remotely through the Internet by simply using the bar code on the back of their library card. This makes the dream of an anytime, anywhere library a reality. The provision of information resources on a statewide basis is a model of cooperation among various institutions and provides for cost containment at the local level.

In a world where some people think all information can be found using “google”, the reality is that the residents of New Jersey are utilizing their libraries in record numbers. Over 41 million visits last year- the most visited venue in New Jersey. From family literacy programs, to computer classes for senior citizens, to art exhibits, libraries are vibrant community centers. In addition, there are millions of uses of library materials through our Virtual Library system which provides information directly from a computer. Last week, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee held its hearing at Giants Stadium. I have often compared the number of library visits with how many times that number could fill Giants Stadium. With over 41 million visits recorded last year, the number of people who visited libraries would fill this stadium 520 times.

Although statistics are impressive, the most important thing to remember is that each visit to the local library – whether in person or virtually- is important to a resident of New Jersey. Whether they are trying to find information on starting a business, have a question about their health, want to learn how to use a computer or assistance with educational assignments- it is important to them and directly impacts their quality of life.

FY 2006 BUDGET

The state budget is about service to the residents of New Jersey. It is about the role of State Government in providing its residents with a range of services including educational resources and economic development opportunities. In this difficult budget year we are pleased with the Governor’s support of library programs and initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE INITIATIVE

Last year, through the leadership of the Legislature, library service in New Jersey began a new era through the funding of the Knowledge Initiative. The goal of this program is to provide entrepreneurs, small business owners, researchers and students with information tools for the 21st century through web access to proprietary databases in the areas of science, technology, medical and business. These will be offered in college and universities in the state, the State Library, through public libraries and at business incubators and small businesses served by the NJ Economic Development Authority. This will directly enhance New Jersey’s economic development opportunities.

Although, no additional funding is proposed in the FY 06 budget, the initial appropriation of
$ 6 million in FY05 budget will provide a strong foundation for this program. Plans are currently being finalized and its implementation should begin shortly. We thank the Legislature for its leadership in championing this innovative program.

NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY

The FY 06 budget also provides essential ongoing support for the New Jersey State Library. For over 200 years, the New Jersey State Library has provided leadership to the library community with services directly to the Executive Branch of Government, the Legislature, the Judiciary and the residents of our state. The State Library has been a leader in the utilization of technology to provide library resources statewide through a variety of programs which are offered to all libraries and, in many cases, directly to any resident of New Jersey with a public library card through the Internet. The provision of information resources on a statewide basis provides an equalized playing field to ensure that all residents have access to information they need when they need it. No longer do people have to drive long distances to use a research library, their local library can often provide the resources for them electronically.

An example of one of these innovative services administered by the State Library is Qand Anj.org which answers informational requests from any resident of New Jersey twenty-four hours a day through the Internet. It is the most popular virtual reference program in the country. This service also provides students with homework assistance through Tutor.com which is available to students in grades 4-12 in many subjects including math, science, social science and English. These services are promoted on the websites of libraries throughout the state and now there is a direct link to Tutor.com from the official New Jersey State website.

Another innovative service is Jersey Cat which has revolutionized resource sharing among libraries by electronically simultaneously searching hundreds of library card catalogs. This allows people to find needed information in minutes rather than days. Materials are then delivered to local libraries via a statewide delivery system. Thousands of books and other materials have been requested during the past year through this system

CONSTRUCTION BOND ACT

This budget again provides funding to support the debt service on the first round of the Public Library Construction Bond Act which was passed in 1999. This legislation had bi-partisan support and co-sponsors included Assemblymen Blee, Payne, Gusciora and Assemblywomen Pou and Watson Coleman. Sixty-eight projects were funded under the first grant program. This program also spurred economic development throughout the state because the forty five million bond was the catalyst for over $270 million in construction funding.

Each of these projects has created libraries which are serving as vibrant community centers offering a wide-range of services to residents of all ages from children’s story times to computer training classes for older adults. It has been an unqualified success.

Yet, this is one critical area where there is still much more to be done. The New Jersey State Library has a list of over eighty communities who are interested in applying for a second round of construction funding. The list includes many of our urban libraries such as Paterson, Passaic, Trenton, Camden or Jersey City who did not apply for funding under the first round because the 3-1 local match was cost prohibited. We believe that another library construction grant program could be used as a catalyst for urban development in these cities. Currently, there are several bills pending before the legislature to provide this second round. We believe this is desperately needed legislation and should be expanded to include funding for a separate urban program at a 1-1 match and also funding for a new or renovated State Library which could serve as a model of library service for all communities in New Jersey.

Currently, A760/2448 has been introduced to provide a second round of construction funding and we thank Assemblymen Joseph Roberts, Neil Cohen and Craig Stanley who are the sponsors of this legislation. We hope that there is action on this legislation during this legislative session. This program has been a true success story. Experience with this program has demonstrated that a small amount of state funding can be the impetus to provide inordinate benefits to many communities.

FY 2006

The budget is a blueprint of services to the residents of New Jersey. The people of New Jersey have demonstrated that they value and support library services. Millions of visits each year and each visit confirms that library services are vital to the quality of life in our state. Funding for this budget request is essential to continue these services. We thank you for your continued support.