What would be the impact of Missouri politicians trying to pass bills that strip public libraries of state funding?

Last week, Missouri Republican House Budget Chairman Cody Smith cut roughly $4.5 million in public library funding from the state's budget, citing a lawsuit by two library groups to overturn a new Missouri law that bans sexually explicit material in school libraries.

If funding is stripped from public libraries in Missouri, it could lead to a number of negative consequences.

One impact could be reduced hours and services. Libraries may have to cut back on services such as programs for children, access to technology and information resources, and assistance from trained staff. This could make it harder for people to access the resources they need, particularly those who rely on the library for educational or job-related purposes.

Another impact of reduced funding could be reduced staffing. With fewer resources, libraries may have to lay off staff or reduce their hours, leaving fewer employees to serve the public. This could also affect the quality of service and resources available to users, making it harder for patrons to get the assistance they need.

Additionally, reduced funding could also result in fewer materials and resources. Libraries may have to cut back on purchasing new books, digital resources, and other materials that patrons depend on for education, research, and entertainment. This could limit the availability of information and resources that are crucial for people's daily lives.

Another potential impact of reduced funding could be reduced accessibility. Libraries may have to close branches or reduce the number of locations where patrons can access library resources. This could make it harder for people who live in certain areas to access the resources they need, particularly if they do not have access to transportation or other means of travel.

Finally, reduced funding for public libraries could have a negative impact on literacy rates in the community. With reduced access to books, digital resources, and other materials, children and adults in the community may have fewer opportunities to read and learn, which could have a negative impact on their educational outcomes.

Overall, reduced funding for public libraries could have a negative impact on the community, limiting access to information, resources, and educational opportunities. The impact would affect individuals on all sides of the political spectrum, and all Missourians need to make their voices heard about why public libraries are vitally important to all citizens of the Show Me State.