Gov. Kristi Noem wants to cut the state library budget by 64 percent.
Some worry the move would hurt public libraries across the state.
Noem did not mention the state library directly during the annual budget address earlier this month. However, her budget calls for a reduction of over $1 million in state general funds and nearly $1.4 million in federal fund expenditure authority to decrease the state library by 12 employees.
The move is part of cost cutting proposals brought by the Republican governor. Noem said the state has only half of the ongoing revenue to meet ongoing costs.
“To balance the budget, we’re proposing $71.9 million in budget reductions and discretionary changes," Noem said.
Noem calls her budget a “budget for the people.”
“I think it’s a fairly catastrophic decision," said Elizabeth Fox, president of the South Dakota Library Association.
She worries about what the cuts will mean for libraries throughout the state.
“Whether it’s a school library, public library, academic library, we’re all going to be affected negatively by the proposed cuts,” Fox said.
Fox said the state library is a coordinating agency that funnels federal funds to help support libraries. It also subscribes to several academic databases, which are purchased for the entire state.
Fox said the state library also provides educational material from pre-K to graduate school, as well as materials for summer reading programs. In addition, Fox said the state library provides training for school librarians and public librarians in small towns.
Fox said the cut will get noticed statewide.
“People who use their public library, or who have students in school, that they would contact their local legislators and let their legislators know libraries are important to them and that underlying infrastructure that is the state library is really important to keep their libraries functioning at the high level we have in South Dakota," Fox added.
State lawmakers meet for the annual 10-week legislative session starting Jan. 10.
