California Budget Surplus May Send Millions to School Libraries

Staff -- School Library Journal, 7/1/1998

Public school library media specialists in the Golden State may have something to grin about if a portion of a newly discovered budget surplus is routed their way.

Governor Pete Wilson has proposed that $230 million be distributed to school districts for materials and equipment in school libraries and science labs. With its economy now catching up to growth in other parts of the country, California calculated that it will have a $4.4 billion surplus this year, the majority of which Wilson wants to use to shrink an annual car tax, while setting aside $1 billion for public schools and colleges.

As of June 22, the state budget was not finalized, but several key players told SLJ that they are optimistic about funding going to school libraries.

"I wish I were clairvoyant, but I believe we're going to get major library money," said Barbara Jeffus, School Library Consultant for the state's Department of Education. June 30 was the budget's deadline but the expectation was that the legislature would miss it as it has in past years. A proposal to pit the car tax against education spending in a statewide vote in November has also been floated.

The $230 million would allow library staff to spend as much as $40 per student on print and non-print materials and equipment needed to access them.