Friends of the Library Hawaii and 28 branch affiliates, along with the state Public Library System, launched a "Keep the Doors Open!" fundraising drive last week with a goal of raising at least $3 million to make up most and perhaps all of the shortfall.[...]
Library closures have been proposed or instituted recently in Dallas, Philadelphia, Providence, R.I., and Norwich, Conn. In Seattle, where 80 percent of adults have library cards, the city shut down its highly acclaimed downtown library and 26 branches all of last week to save $655,000 in its attempt to cut the libraries' budget by 2 percent, or $1 million.
The public library in Philadelphia may be closing its doors permanently. [...] The library is the sixth largest public library in the nation, and its precursor, the Library Company of Philadelphia, created by Benjamin Franklin, was the first public library in the United States.[...]
Come October 2nd, all 53 library buildings throughout the city will close. Books and DVDs will no longer be available for loan. Free internet access will cease. The community programs and meetings held in the libraries will have to find another venue, and the GED and English as a Second Language educational programs will end.
All Free Library of Philadelphia Branch, Regional and Central Libraries Closed Effective Close of Business October 2, 2009[...]
We deeply regret to inform you that without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg, the City of Philadelphia will not have the funds to operate our neighborhood branch libraries, regional libraries, or the Parkway Central Library after October 2, 2009.
Yeah! Down with socialism!
But the city’s budget woes don’t end with the expected closure of the library. If the budget is not passed, the city is planning on closing all recreational facilities, laying off 1000 police officers and closing some fire department stations.
Uh-oh.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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