Governor Rick Scott’s Recommendations for Library Funding

On Thursday afternoon Governor Scott published his 2013-14 budget recommendations for the legislature to consider in the coming Regular Session.

§  State Aid to Public Libraries – The Governor recommends $20,235,401 for State Aid. This is $1,064,599 less than the current appropriation of $21.3 million and is the amount requested by the Secretary of State. The recommendation represents the minimum in state funds now needed to qualify for federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding. When LSTA funding was reduced, the state’s funding requirement was reduced as well.  The library community will be working hard to persuade Florida legislators to increase the State Aid appropriation.

§  Library Cooperative Funding – Governor Scott recommends $1 million for Library Cooperative Grants. These funds are used by Florida’s multitype library cooperatives to support resource sharing among Florida libraries.  Governor Scott had vetoed Library Cooperative funding for the current year so the library cooperatives and libraries that rely on them for services are particularly appreciative of Governor Scott’s support for 2013-14 funding.

§  Florida Virtual Campus – Governor Scott recommends $23,927,294 for the Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) which supports university and college library automation and licensed electronic resources.  This is an increase of $447,877 over the current year’s allocation of $23,497,417.  The FLVC provides distance learning and academic advising as well as college and university library services.

The Florida Library Community thanks Governor Scott for his appreciation of the value of library services enjoyed by Floridians and his continued support for library funding!

Be part of the Florida Library Association's Library Day at the Legislature on Tuesday, March 12.  Register at http://www.flalib.org/library_day_2013.php