Closing all the libraries in Philadelphia (and more!)

[tbone_kneegrabber]

Because of the economic crisis and the state budget crisis and therefore the city budget crisis....Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia has released a "plan c" budget for philadelphia. It includes shutting down the libraries (all the libraries!) starting Oct 2, closing all rec centers, and reducing trash pick up to every other week, along with a lot of other cuts. The plan can be seen here.

This is the Free Library of Philadelphia's site on "how you can help"

I thought folks in the area would be interested (ie outraged).

I have xposted this in "activism"

[MrsMike]

Yes, please help.

I'm hoping there is some money raised. People raised a 1/4 million or more for the mummers last year.

[MrsMike]

Oh wait! Nevermind!

"Just minutes ago, the Pennsylvania State senate passed bill 1828 by a vote of 32 to 17. For all of you who have been following the saga over the city's budget crisis, this is indeed the legislation that was needed for the City of Philadelphia to avoid the "Doomsday" Plan C budget scenario, which would have resulted in the layoff of 3,000 city employees and forced the closing of all libraries.

We are enormously grateful to everyone who advocated on our behalf. More than 2,000 letters to state legislators were collected from our libraries, and countless others made calls and sent emails underscoring how important public libraries are to the economic, educational and social life of our city. We also thank our incredible library staff, who despite the threat of imminent layoffs continued to provide excellent service to the thousands of people who use one of the 54 libraries in our system."

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/i...h=3&postid=952

[leaveit2beeker]

I am glad to see someone else is passionate about our public libraries! I've sent so many postcards to our local officals here in Lebanon County, they started ignoring me...

[Deborah]

speaking as a public librarian - in Vermont - I really appreciate your love and enthusiasm for public libraries.

Thanks for speaking out and caring.