Bob Warburton
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NJ Library Co-op Faces Looming Shortfall
LibraryLinkNJ, a statewide cooperative that oversees a $1.36 million interlibrary loan (ILL) delivery service serving 2,600 public, private, academic, corporate, and other libraries throughout the New Jersey, will stay in business at least one more year after members voted to approve a $2.38 million budget for its fiscal year 2019.
Watchung, NJ Borough Council Votes to Close Library
Update: A local citizens' group, Keep a Library in Watchung, has filed a lawsuit in Somerset County Superior Court against the Borough Council, seeking to overturn its decision to close the library. The suit alleges that the council's actions violate the New Jersey State Constitution of 1947 as well as the U.S. Constitution, the Open Public Meetings Act, the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, and New Jersey’s Local Housing and Redevelopment Act.
Suspects but No Answers in Rare Book Theft at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Library
Investigators from the Allegheny County, PA, District Attorney’s Office continue to remain silent on the theft of 314 rare books, folios, maps, and other items from the rare materials room at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, although one official there confirmed that “suspect(s) have been identified.”
ILL On Hold In Northern NJ
Update: According to an article in Northjersey.com, a contributing factor to LibraryLinkNJ's selection of Expak Logistics was its bid, which came in at half of the competing bids. LLNJ's budget has been frozen since 2008, according to the article.
NH Libraries Face ILL System Failure
As the New Hampshire State Library (NHSL) ramps up its efforts to buy new interlibrary loan (ILL) software for the first time since 2002, librarians across the Granite State continue using phone calls, email, and other workarounds to keep up with patron requests, almost three months after an aging statewide system finally crashed for good.
KY Governor’s Budget Would Eliminate Library Funds
Library Legislative Day in Kentucky on February 15 will give directors and advocates their first real chance to push back against Gov. Matt Bevin’s recent FY18–20 budget proposal, which seeks to eliminate every penny of the $2.5 million currently earmarked for direct state aid to libraries.
Irvin Mayfield, Ronald Markham Charged in NOPL Fund Mismanagement
Irvin Mayfield, a jazz trumpet virtuoso and at one time a leading figure in the city’s library community before being dogged by scandal, pleaded not guilty in federal court on January 4 to charges listed in a 19-count indictment that alleged he used $1.4 million of New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) money for personal gain. Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the indictments in December 2017, and also appeared in court to represent the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Denver News Report Spurs Library Crime Crackdown
A stepped-up effort to curb unwanted and illegal activities, including the sale and use of drugs, at the sprawling downtown Denver Central Library, CO, is starting to yield results, the city librarian said recently, after a particularly troubling few months that saw 14 drug overdoses on the premises since February, along with dozens of arrests.
Montana State Library To See Cuts in Budget, Staff, Service
The first staff layoffs since 2011 is this confirmed will take effect in July at the Montana State Library (MSL) in Helena, as one of several cost-cutting measures forced by budget cuts enacted by the legislature for FY18 and 19. And MSL officials are bracing for a second, even steeper round of reductions in funding, staff, and services later this summer.