The Florida Legislature cut all state funding for public libraries last Wednesday, and Director of Libraries Danny Hales said the effect here will be devastating if the money isn’t restored.

“It would be absolutely catastrophic,” Hales said. “Obviously we would have to close the Branford location with significantly reduced hours in Live Oak.”

Hale said “a significant number” of employees at the Live Oak branch staff would lose their jobs as well.

The House and Senate Transportation and Economic Development (TED) Appropriations Committees cut the funding during meetings March 10.

“Until last year, we’ve never had state funding zeroed out,” said Hales. “Suwannee County will lose roughly half its library funding with this cut.”

A budget conference committee cut the budget for state public libraries to zero at the end of last year’s legislative session. Legislators had originally proposed a $21.2 million library budget, the threshold in order to be eligible for $8 million in federal matching funds. At the last minute, and after thousands of emails and phone calls from concerned citizens, legislators restored the $21.2 million.

Whether funding will be restored this year is anybody’s guess.

Hales said what makes this year different is the timing and those involved. Legislators were only two weeks into the current session when TED proposed to eliminate state aid to public libraries in its entirety. Last year, only the House committee proposed eliminating the funds.

“Now is the time to contact your state legislators,” Hales said. “Tell them we want them to restore the funding now.”

So far about 20,000 messages have been sent electronically and by hard copy. Gov. Charlie Crist has received about 5,000.

Both committees are expected to release their proposed bills within the next week.

Last year Suwannee County received $515,267 in state aid. If state funding is not restored, Suwannee will lose $554,555 from its next budget.