Zogby Poll Shows New Yorkers Want State's Libraries Funded

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/alnews2004/november2004abc/zogbynyla.cfm

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Posted November 5, 2004.

Zogby Poll Shows New Yorkers Want State’s Libraries Funded

An estimated 80% of likely voters in New York support restoring the $4.5 million in state aid to libraries cut by Gov. George Pataki in August, according to a Zogby International Poll conducted in October. The survey was commissioned by the New York Library Association to press for the restoration of the cuts and to demonstrate the connection between support for library services and voters.

NYLA President Rocco Staino called on the state legislature to “heed the call of an overwhelming majority of New Yorkers” and restore the funds “desperately needed by our libraries and library systems.”

The polling firm conducted telephone interviews with 605 respondents, 73% of whom identified themselves as regular library users. Three in five (61%) agreed with a statement that libraries “deserve more financial support from the state.” The most likely to share that sentiment were Democrats, African Americans, Hispanics, and New York City residents.

At its annual conference in Rochester, October 20–23, NYLA unveiled bumper stickers that read “I love libraries and I vote” and showcased its new online advocacy service that lets library supporters fax letters to their state elected officials through the NYLA website.

Posted November 6, 2004.