I posted a diary a few weeks back about the dire situation in Philadelphia and the proposed closing of 11 neighborhood branch libraries. I shared with you the information about our Read-In and Book Trek. Here is a news report from the Read-In and Book Trek.
Here are other links about the activism and fight at my nephew's school to preserve the libraries here and here.
We really need help placing phone calls tomorrow. See more below the fold
So basically the Mayor of Philadelphia and the Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia claim that they need to close 11 library branches to save 8 million dollars over five years. This is complete and utter bs. The Free Library of Philadelphia is planning to expand the Central Branch for over 100 million dollars. When Mayor Nutter went hat in hand to the US Mayors Conference in Chicago, he requested millions of dollars to build two regionals, weatherize existing branches and build another expansion on the Central Library. He only asked for 500,000 to purchase bookmobiles to presumably serve the communities that are losing their libraries.
•Library system expansion: Construction of two new regional libraries in north and south sections of the city: $30 million
•Free Library: Renovation and expansion of Central Library and regional branches : $25 million
•Exterior modernization of libraries: windows and roof replacements at all libraries: $9 million
•Branch library improvements: Upgrade of facilities including structural and mechanical systems: $5 million
Underserved communities weren’t forgotten, because look here:
•Bookmobiles: Purchase and deployment of bookmobiles in underserved communities in the city: $500,000
Source
It gets better! See the quotes from then-Councilman Nutter in his 2005 interview with the Library Journal. He was explaining why it was so important to fight to keep libraries open. As a result of his "activism," the Library Journal awarded Nutter and DiCicco the 2005 Politicians of the Year award.
"I've always had a great passion for libraries, and I've seen what they can do for young and old folks alike—those who may not have access to their own research materials," says Nutter. "I've seen the explosive use of the Internet in library branches. I've also seen the value of the librarians. The information, the guidance, and the support they provide to people in the library is incredible. "I grew up in the public library branch in West Philly where I lived. You don't have to be a genius to see what would have happened if we changed to these 'express libraries' with no librarians," Nutter continues. "A branch library would be just a room with books. That is not a library. Many of us took it very personally that such an idea would even come forward."
"The proposal just seemed to be another attack," Nutter says. "Last year it was the recreation centers, this year the libraries. Who knew what it would be next. "I think, as director of the free library system, Shelkrot should have said 'No!''' Nutter states. "You reach a certain point where you say, 'I'm not doing that! If you want someone to do this to the library system that I love, find somebody else. I will not implement that kind of drastic cut.... I will leave and I will tell the public why!'"
OK so we need some help getting Council people on board on the lawsuit or the libraries will close Dec. 31. I can't impress on you how making one phone call can be so helpful tomorrow. I beg you to call for the future of children in Philadelphia. Here is what you can do.
Urgent action is needed to prevent closure of libraries. Call city council
people Monday morning to get them to sign on to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit that was announced last week is probably our last shot at
preventing libraries from being closed before the end of the month. The
lawsuit could get an injunction that would give us more time to find a
permanent solution. That said, the lawsuit may not even be introduced if we
cannot get city council people to sign on by the end of the day Monday. The
suit would have little standing in court without council people being
plaintiffs since it refers to an ordinance that says that that public
buildings cannot be closed without the authorization of city council.
So, please call your council person and at large council people Monday
morning to let them know how important this is. They may be nervous about
upsetting the mayor, but we need to let them know that this is the last
chance to save the libraries.
In addition, a few of us will be going to City Hall on Monday morning to
speak directly with council people. If you are interested in joining us, we
will be meeting at the northeast corner of City Hall at 9:45.
Below are the names and number of the main council people we are hoping to
convince. Please call you district council person and the at large ones.
District council people:
Jannie Blackwell 215-686-3418 or 215-686-3419
Curtis Jones (215) 686-3416, (215) 686-3417
Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez (215) 686-3448, (215) 686-3449
Frank DiCicco (215) 686-3458, (215) 686-3459
Joan Krajewski (215) 686-3444, (215) 686-3445
At Large Council People:
Bill Green 215-686-3420 or 215-686-3421
Frank Rizzo (215) 686-3440
Blondell Reynolds Brown (215) 686-3438, (215) 686-3439