Outraged at the prospect of no library service on Fridays due to lack of funding, the city council of Wheaton, Illinois, is considering an ordinance to require the Wheaton Public Library to remain open at least four hours per day for a six-day week during the summer and a seven-day week during the school year. … Continue reading Town Officials Threaten Cash-Strapped Board for Trimming Library Hours
Grassroots advocates in Boston were thrilled to learn June 21 that library officials were indefinitely postponing the closure of four branches that had been planned for months. The news came as hundreds of library workers at the Charlotte (N.C.) Mecklenburg Library and Los Angeles Public Library were coming to grips with layoff notices. “We’ve been … Continue reading Boston Branches’ Reprieve Dimmed by Layoffs, Closures Elsewhere
July 1 is fast approaching, bringing a new fiscal year for many libraries around the country. However, that’s the only certainty in many communities as advocates tenaciously continue their campaigns to keep as many library facilities open and staffed as possible. The libraries of New York City, Brooklyn, and Queens are rallying supporters on the … Continue reading Rallies, Rallies, Everywhere as Final Budget Votes Loom
All eight elementary-school libraries in the Natomas Unified School District closed indefinitely as of May 26 to plug $1.6 million of the district’s $17.3-million budget gap by the end of FY2012–13. “These cuts are a last resort,” district spokesperson Heidi Van Zant told American Libraries. “We have deep, deep, deep regret about this action, which … Continue reading California School District Closes All K – 5 Libraries
Illinois's nine library cooperatives are reeling from what Prairie Area Library System (PALS) Executive Director Michael Piper says may be the worst financial crisis in the state's history, "a game-changer." Already six months long, the wait for the state's overdue payments to libraries "will likely grow longer," Piper announced May 19, and "will probably persist … Continue reading With No Check in the Mail, Illinois Cooperatives Lay Off Dozens
Fearing severe budget cuts more than ghosts, New York Public Library teamed up with public pranksters Improv Everywhere to host one of IE's missions at the library—and produce a viral video supporting NYPL's "Don't Close the Book on Libraries" advocacy campaign in the process. "We are facing a $37 million budget cut from the city … Continue reading Facing Cuts, NYPL turns to Improv Everywhere for Viral Advocacy Video
I don’t know anybody who hasn’t been hurt by this economic debacle that seems to be turning the entire country on its head—any number of countries, in fact. At the American Library Association, we’ve been hit just like everybody else. It is tempting to do a lot of hand-wringing and tooth-gnashing because it seems as … Continue reading Rolling with the Punches
Voters in Ohio turned out in overwhelming support of their public libraries at primary ballot boxes May 4, the Ohio Library Council reported May 5. Out of a total of 29 public library levy issues (PDF file), 25 were approved—18 of which were first-time requests. Library officials sought the additional funding to mitigate an 18% … Continue reading Ohioans Approve 86% of Library Levies
The economic downturn has led to dramatic increases in library visitation across the nation, including unprecedented demand for free computer and internet access. Over the last year, Americans have flocked to libraries to get online and find help from trained staff to conduct job searches, complete online coursework, apply for government services, and learn new … Continue reading Gates Foundation, IMLS Research Proves Value of Online Access
The Boston Public Library board of trustees unanimously approved a plan April 9 to close four branches and eliminate dozens of positions to address a $3.6-million budget shortfall for FY2011. The plan, proposed April 7 by BPL President Amy E. Ryan, calls for the closure of four branches—Faneuil, Lower Mills, Orient Heights, and Washington Village—and … Continue reading Boston Trustees Approve Closure of Four Branches
With 48 hours to spare before the Boston Public Library board is scheduled to finalize the system’s FY2011 budget for Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s review, BPL President Amy E. Ryan has recommended a modified service cutback. The change follows a sustained outpouring of public criticism regarding an earlier proposal to close up to 10 branches … Continue reading Boston Library Officials Dial Back Service-Cuts Proposal
West Virginia library advocates suffered a blow March 26 when Gov. Joe Manchin used his line-item veto power to slash library funding in next year’s state budget by 5%. Library supporters had convinced the legislature to maintain funding at current levels despite the weak economy. Manchin cut the appropriation for grants-in-aid to public libraries from … Continue reading West Virginia Governor Vetoes Current-Level Funding for Libraries
