Gov. Blunt recommends cuts to library's MOBIUS funding

Gov. Matt Blunt announced plans to eliminate the state’s funding for the MOBIUS Common Library Platform.
MOBIUS, the Missouri Bibliographic Information User System, allows library patrons, students and faculty to request library materials via the Internet. The 60 member libraries share the cost of the service.
Springfield-Greene County Library Executive Director Annie Busch said she is extremely concerned about the funding cut.
“As the first public library to participate in MOBIUS, we know firsthand the value of the consortium,” Busch said in a prepared statement sent to Springfield Business Journal’s newsroom. “MOBIUS is a wonderful and successful example of sharing resources and costs throughout the state to bring students and public library patrons effective and efficient library service that meets their needs.”
Busch said the local district plans to continue MOBIUS through other revenue streams.
Blunt’s recommendation also includes a nearly 13 percent reduction in funding for the state MOREnet program, which
provides Internet connectivity, technical support, videoconferencing services and training to Missouri’s schools, colleges and universities, public libraries, health care institutions, state government and other affiliated organizations. The reduction to MOREnet, the Missouri Research and Education Network, comprises about $1.5 million of its $11.6 million appropriation.
Jessica Robinson, spokeswoman for Blunt’s office, said there was a lot of planning behind the decision to cut the library programs.
“We worked with the agency directors on all these cut recommendations and the basis for them was the understanding that public and private higher education institutions should be able to pick up the costs for those programs,” she said.
Robinson added that funding was increased to the state library networking fund by $450,000, through a redistribution of other tax revenue. She said that should help offset some of the costs of the proposed cutbacks.