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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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HURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015
PAGE 3A
It was once a tradition at KU that all incoming freshmen wore a KU beanie. That tradition died in the late 1940s with the influx of veterans of World War II
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Funding shortages force public libraries to adjust
ALLISON CRIST
@AllisonCristUDK
The Kansas Center for Economic Growth's (KCEG) April report showed cuts to local communities throughout Kansas, but particularly regarding state support to libraries. For instance, the Lawrence Public Library has only received half of its allocated funds for this year.
"Our current situation is that [the state] had essentially allocated $32,000 for this year," said Kathleen Morgan, the library's director of development and strategic partnerships. "We were told the second half is questionable. Instead of holding our breath hoping it will come through, we're making adjustments while still providing the best services possible."
Though the library was recently expanded and renovated, the state was not involved as it only provides funding toward operations.
Morgan said if the rest of the funding doesn't come through, the library will do its best to not let it affect services.
"The funds over the past several years have gradually decreased, so we have come to not rely on them heavily. But that's still a lot of money that could end up helping operations, bottom line," Morgan said.
Looking at the state as a whole, from 2013 to 2014, state funding to Kansas libraries dropped by 23 percent.
Terri Summey, president of the Kansas Library Association, said the 23 percent drop in state funding to libraries has affected different libraries in different ways.
"Larger [libraries] aren't hurt as much," Summey said. "They have companies, taxes and other things that can help. Where it really hurts is the smaller or rural libraries because they rely on the money that comes through the state."
Summey said while other libraries do their best to maintain their services, they just won't be able to.
"It it gets to the point where these institutions can't trim back anymore without damaging their services," McKay said. "They are forced to close or increase property taxes."
rector of KCEG, said the goal is the same for not only libraries that are facing cuts, but schools and health departments: to keep their doors open.
McKay said these taxes aren't to make gains, but simply to maintain a basic level of operation.
"I certainly think that it
Average cost of a book $15
Cost per Library circulation $5
Consumer savings in 2014: $1,369,410
LIBRARY VALUE 2014
Average cost of a DVD $16
Cost per Library circulation $5
Consumer savings in 2014: $678,887
School Library Journal Average cost per DVD purchased by the Library in 2014 US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual entertainment cost per household $2,482
Annual cost per resident for Library services: $30
Contributed by: Matt Nojonen, director of the Leavenworth Public Library
"As librarians, we try to protect our communities, so we start by not buying as many materials, or maybe not replacing technology as much; but we don't want to cut hours," Summey said. "These cuts have forced some to do just that."
Annie McKay, executive di-
makes Kansas less attractive," McKay said. "This ill-advised path was one we put ourselves on, but we can get back on track anytime by investing in the things that make Kansas great — and that includes libraries."
Edited by Andrew Collins
SUSAN WALSH/ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Barack Obama walks the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park, Fla., Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Obama visited the Everglades on Earth Day to talk about how global warming threatens the U.S. economy. He says rising sea levels are putting the "economic engine for the South Florida tourism industry" at risk.
Obama voices concern on Everglades climate damage
JOSH LEDERMAN
Associated Press
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. (AP) — Amid lurking alligators and the steamy heat of Florida's Everglades, President Barack Obama on Wednesday sounded the alarm about damage from climate change he said was already wreaking mayhem in Florida and across the United States.
"You do not have time to deny the effects of climate change." Obama said.
In an implicit rebuke to Florida's governor and other Republicans, Obama accused those who deny the man-made causes of climate change of sticking their heads in the sand. He said rising sea levels that have infused the
Everglades with harmful salt water have already jeopardized Florida's drinking water and its $82 billion tourism industry.
Obama's quick visit to the South Florida landmark marked his latest attempt to connect the dots between carbon emissions and real-life implications. So the president ditched his usual suit and tie Wednesday for a casual shirt and sunglasses as his helicopter touched down in Everglades National Park.
The Everglades fuel the region's tourism economy and water supply. Now roughly
1. 4 million acres, the park comprises most of what's left of a unique ecosystem that once stretched as far north as Orlando.
Yet damage that started early in the 20th century, when people drained swamps to make room for homes and farms, has only grown more alarming as sea levels rise. Researchers fear by the time the water flow is fixed, the Everglades' native species could be lost to invasive plants and animals.
"This is not a problem for another generation — not anymore," Obama said. "This is a problem now. It has serious implications for the way we live right now."
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