There are signs around Plaistow Public Library saying "Save the Van."
Plaistow and other local libraries are petitioning the state to keep funding for the interlibrary loan program. The federally funded program allows local libraries to share books and other resources, transporting requested materials across the state in four vans.
The move to cut funding for the vans started with Rep. Steven Vaillancourt, R-Manchester. He said he suggested cutting back from four vans to two during budget season, but couldn't because it is federally funded.
"There are no proposed cuts," Vaillancourt said yesterday. "There is a section of the budget asking Cultural Resources to look at the possibility of better using federal funds (by November). The bureacrats should be ashamed of themselves for trying to scare librarians around the state. There are no plans to reduce the number of vans at this time; maybe when we budget again in two years. After all, if we can't afford to fund developmentally disabled, do we really need four vans running around the state?"
But librarians across the state are angry at the possibility of cutting the program. State librarian Michael York said he didn't understand why the program is being attacked for doing a good job.
"This system works very well, but it's not gold-plated," he said.
"In fact, we could use additional resources. We're using the available technology to get the book as quickly as possible to the patron. It has to do with good management. I don't know why this program is being targeted."
Last year, York said, the inter-library loan program moved 800,000 items statewide over 22 routes, delivering five days a week.
"This proposal says we would have only one van and five routes," he said.
"This will reduce service by 75 percent. Because we're reducing the number of stops, it could take weeks for materials to get between towns. Patrons and libraries are going to give up on this program."
Plaistow library director Diane Arrato Gavrish said they are trying to get patrons' signatures on a petition to support the program.
"We have one sheet of signatures so far," she said.
"We're trying to not be pushy about it, but we just let people know. We're particularly focused on people who often use the interlibrary loan service and many of them do. They're more than willing to sign when they find out."
Last year, she said, the library moved more than 1,800 items.
"Now you can request an item and, in most cases, you can be assured to get it within a week," she said.
"In our case, that could change up to two weeks or longer. We rely on the program so much in a small setting like Plaistow."
Pelham library director Bob Rice said they have more than 50 signatures on their copy of the petition.
"We're a relatively small library with a limited budget, and the ability to borrow back and forth is a vital part of what we do," he said.
"It's federal funding, so I don't see how it's legal for the state to change the use of that federal money."
Alison Baker, director of Salem's Kelley Library, said they're also taking part in the petition drive.
"We use this service a lot," she said.
"We've always shared our materials throughout the state. We would have to curtail how much we could send out substantially. It enhances the service on such a huge level and it is very cost effective."
Since the program has been threatened, some local libraries have looked into alternatives, like using the mail to ship books instead. But the costs are much higher.
"We're currently shipping at 44 cents per item," York said.
"It's going to cost between $3 and $4 an item if you ship by U.S. mail. And there's a lot of work involved. Right now, they put a slip in the book, put a rubber band around it and drop it in a bin. It's delivered to the library. You can't do that with the post office."
Baker said shipping books by mail would cost the library about $35,000 per year.
"It would be really tough on our budget," she said.
"The van service is no cost to us, nor any cost to the state. If we were trying to replicate that would be a really heavy burden to us. We'd have to really pick and choose what we send out or borrow, which would be a real detriment to everybody in the community."
York said he hopes the petitions will change the Legislature's plan for the program.
"I hope the petitions will have an effect," York said. "I don't think this change is in the best interest of the library community of New Hampshire. This system is crucial."
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