The Pennsylvania state library, founded by Benjamin Franklin 263 years ago, has survived two wars and a catastrophic fire. Now the library faces what is perhaps the biggest threat of all time. In the face of a multibillion-dollar deficit, Governor Rendell wants to halve the state library budget - from $4.8 million to $2.3 million - which could all but wipe out the 56-person staff.
"They're obviously going to be crippled by this," said Glenn Miller, executive director of the Pennsylvania Library Association.
You can read more in an article by Amy Worden in the Philadelphia Inquirer at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20090305_Pa__state_library_faces_budget_cut.html.
