Now that Pennsylvania's long-overdue budget has passed, some non-profit groups are feeling the effects.
The governor finally signed the new state budget into law Friday night. Now, some libraries in our area are bracing for its effects.
Officials at the Mahanoy City Public Library said Monday more people are using the place for computers, reading, and learning.
The smaller library and others across Pennsylvania will have their state funding cut by 20 percent as a result of the new budget.
"I was working full time, 35 hours a week. Now I am down to 20 hours a week. My part timers were working 20 hours a week. Now they're down to 9 hours," said Tom Seiberling of the Mahanoy City Public Library.
Library officials said although they've been hit with a 20 percent cut, it could have been worse. At first lawmakers were talking about a 50 percent cut.
"If we got a 50 percent cut for small libraries I think we would have folded. I think every library in Schuylkill County would have folded except Pottsville," Seiberling added.
Even at the larger Hazleton Area Public Library, officials are concerned. They are working through the numbers now.
"Most public libraries have access to something called Power Library which is 40 databases which is available through their web site that have valuable information for students. At this point so we don't know if that will be funded wholly or in part or at all," said Jim Reinmiller with the Hazleton Area Public Library.
Because of a late budget and the cuts to programs people depend on, some said lawmakers will pay a price election day.
"Oh, of course, of course. Why wouldn't we? It's taken this long to do it, but they're well taken care of," said Dawn May of Barnesville.
"There is no reason for a budget to take this long. As far as being in the work place, if you didn't balance your budget, you'd be fired. So they're not doing their job," said Gary Smith of Mahanoy City.
The governor finally signed the new state budget into law Friday night. Now, some libraries in our area are bracing for its effects.
Officials at the Mahanoy City Public Library said Monday more people are using the place for computers, reading, and learning.
The smaller library and others across Pennsylvania will have their state funding cut by 20 percent as a result of the new budget.
"I was working full time, 35 hours a week. Now I am down to 20 hours a week. My part timers were working 20 hours a week. Now they're down to 9 hours," said Tom Seiberling of the Mahanoy City Public Library.
Library officials said although they've been hit with a 20 percent cut, it could have been worse. At first lawmakers were talking about a 50 percent cut.
"If we got a 50 percent cut for small libraries I think we would have folded. I think every library in Schuylkill County would have folded except Pottsville," Seiberling added.
Even at the larger Hazleton Area Public Library, officials are concerned. They are working through the numbers now.
"Most public libraries have access to something called Power Library which is 40 databases which is available through their web site that have valuable information for students. At this point so we don't know if that will be funded wholly or in part or at all," said Jim Reinmiller with the Hazleton Area Public Library.
Because of a late budget and the cuts to programs people depend on, some said lawmakers will pay a price election day.
"Oh, of course, of course. Why wouldn't we? It's taken this long to do it, but they're well taken care of," said Dawn May of Barnesville.
"There is no reason for a budget to take this long. As far as being in the work place, if you didn't balance your budget, you'd be fired. So they're not doing their job," said Gary Smith of Mahanoy City.
