Library director makes budget plea to legislators

Whitman Library director Kristie Kirkpatrick visited with legislators from the 9th District in Olympia last Friday to discuss Gov. Gregoire’s proposed budget for 2010. The budget proposal contains steep cuts to the Washington State Library that would impact many of the programs and services now offered by Whitman County Library, Kirkpatrick claims.

Kirkpatrick said the proposed cut of 15 percent to the state library translates to an actual decrease of 30 percent because it is retroactive to July of 2009.

These are the grant funds that Whitman County Library often uses to provide materials, pro...