Remembering how Jeb Bush attempted to close the Florida State Library.

Information has been removed from the state library of Florida website since Jeb Bush's plan was protested by the people of the state of Florida.

Proposal to Eliminate the State Library of Florida:
Information Resources

Summary of Bush proposal to dismantle State Library



Governor Bush signaled the dismantling of the State Library when he released his 2003-2004 budget for the state on Tuesday. While details are still emerging, it is clear that under the Governor's plan the Division of Library and Information Services,

currently part of the Florida Department of State, would be eliminated. Parts of the Division would be retained and moved from the Department of State to other state agencies. The Library Development arm, which administers the federal LSTA program and State Aid to Libraries, is slated to be incorporated into a newly-formed "Department of State and Community Partnerships." The state archives will be moved to the Department of Environmental Protection, and the records management function will move to the Department of Management Services. The library itself, which provides library services to state agencies, libraries throughout the state, and the general public and manages the State Documents Program, would be eliminated all together with its
collections dispersed. The Governor's budget and its attendant reorganizations must be approved by the Florida Legislature..
The people fought back.
Bush's appointee as state librarian--Judith Ring--supported his effort.