Library News

Legislators face a huge budget challenge: a revenue shortfall between $1.2 and $1.5 billion. Libraries again face the very real danger of losing MORE state funding. The last state budget resulted in cuts to four library line items by 73%, 51%, 21%, and 3% respectively.

Last year's state budget cuts resulted in a $22,000 loss for the Muhlenberg Community Library in 2010. (Our total budget for 2010 is $239,820). That kind of money cannot be easily replaced with local fundraising. Although we have so far weathered the loss in the current year, further cuts could force us to reduce hours and services.

Please tell your legislators and the Governor that their constituents who depend on libraries have already done more than their fair share through deep cuts in the budget.

Internet Filtering

To comply with the Federal Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2003, all public access computers in the Muhlenberg Community Library now have web filtering. Categories that are blocked include pornography, hate speech and violent web sites.

If adult patrons feel that sites have been blocked in error, they can request that the library staff turn off filtering at the computer they are using. Patrons must, however, still comply with the library policy which states:

"Viewing of certain materials in the public library may be considered improper in time, place, or manner. Libraries reserve the right to discontinue display of information and images which cause a disruption.

Library staff may not disable the filter on patron-owned laptops or other wireless access devices.

Parents should NOT ASSUME that every offensive site will be blocked and should still carefully monitor their children's internet usage at the library.

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