Here's a letter from Pickens County Library Director to her Rep

Representative David R. Hiott

418B Blatt Building

Columbia, SC 29201

Dear Representative Hiott,

My name is Allison Anderson and I am the Director of the Pickens County Library System. PCLS provides library service to approximately 117,000 Pickens County residents who, in the current stressed economy, need our services more than ever.  During the past year an average of 1,357 patrons visit our library system each day!  These patrons rely on our ability to provide crucial educational and employment assistance. 

In his June 9^th, 2010 budgetary letter to the SC House of Representatives, Governor Sanford vetoed Aid to Public Libraries (item #31) and Federal Stimulus Funds for Public Libraries (item # 92).  If this 6.5 million dollars in funding disappears so does South Carolina’s public libraries’ ability to provide vital library service when it is needed most.  In Pickens County, Aid to Public Libraries provides over half of our materials budget for the collection and for workforce training programs.  The Federal Stimulus portion of the funding allows public libraries to bridge the gaps in technology, programs and services.  In addition, without the funding Governor Sanford vetoed in items #31 and #92, South Carolina public libraries may lose an additional $2.7 million dollars in Federal LSTA funds.

I am appealing to you as a Representative for Pickens County to support public libraries and the residents of Pickens County by voting to override the Governor Sanford’s veto of items # 31 and #92 on Tuesday, June 15^th.  Your support is needed and appreciated! 

Sincerely,

Allison Anderson, Director

Pickens County Library System