Library leaders from across the state will travel to Albany Tuesday to attend the New York State Library Advocacy Day. As WBFO's Eileen Buckley reports, the leader of the Buffalo & Eire County Public Library will be attending to encourage the state to keep funding in place.
Library director Mary Jean Jakubowski says the advocacy day brings together library leaders from across the state together to visit public leaders in Albany.
"We are certainly are very grateful that the Governor has kept it status quo. We are use to actually receiving cuts on their end. So this year, we will be asking them to just maintain the funding," said Jakubowski.
Jakubowski says its a chance to thank them for their support to the library system, such as state Construction Fund Grants that allow upkeep of library buildings. But Jakubowski stressed it is not a lobbying day.
"It's not direct lobby at all. It is simply a time where we go and say thank you very much and go to their territory," said Jakubowksi.
The Buffalo Library system receives 95 percent of its funding from Erie County, but Jakubowski says they are exploring alternate avenues for other funding sources.
"Because we want to be able to continue to bring the services and programs to the residents that they are demanding so heavily from us," said Jakubowski.
For years, the library has been strained by budget cuts and Jakubowski says it is still dealing with a "significant" budget gap.