WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- "We didn't share in the gain during the good years and now we're asked to share in the pain."

Steve Bolton is the director of the North Country Library System. It serves about 70 libraries in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Lewis and Oswego counties. He is trying to figure out why state libraries haven't received a permanent funding increase in ten years, yet are being asked to take a major cut in the Governor's proposed budget plan.

"The state should be looking at us as a model for efficiency and for sharing resources rather than targeting us for the largest percentage cut in the budget," Bolton said.

After already taking a two percent cut earlier this year, the Governor's plan calls for another cut of a whopping 20 percent. That's more than $355,000 gone from the North Country System.

The two percent cut resulted in the loss of 14 jobs. Bolton says the 20 percent cut would mean fewer books, increased fees, a loss of most programs aimed at helping people get jobs or education and even more job cuts.

"What state agency has seen a 40 percent decrease in its workforce? You probably won't find one," Bolton said. "We're now at the breaking point. We can't provide the services we provide with fewer people. We've cut everything we can."

Bolton says the sad part is libraries are needed the most when the economy is down.

"People are much less likely to go to the bookstore and buy books. They instead go to the libraries for books and DVDs," Bolton said. "The libraries even offer free internet service. During tough times people cut back."

Bolton is now hoping trustees and supporters of local libraries will step up and voice their concerns to elected officials in time.

The North Country Library System has set up a link on its website for people to give their opinions to elected officials. That site is www.nclsweb.org.