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For Privatization Stand, Marion County Library Groups Get Award

(Photo by Shawn Nystrand/Flickr)
(Photo by Shawn Nystrand/Flickr)

Marion County's Friends of the Library groups have been awarded the Library Advocacy Award by the Florida Library Association.

The seven independent groups worked together to fight privatization and budget cuts threatening the Marion County Library System, according to a news release from the groups. They encouraged the county commission to withdraw the issue of privatization, and a budget cut of $500,000 was reduced by $240,000, the release said.

“Hats off to the county commission for embracing our concerns and finding some additional funds to support crucial library needs,” Carmen Maines, president of the Ocala Friends of the Library, said in the release.

The award marked the first time someone other than a legislator who supported the library won the award.

Lucas is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.