As many of you may have heard, the City of Philadelphia is proposing to close 11 branches of the Philadelphia Free Library due to major budget shortfalls/deficits (projected to be $1 billion over the next 5 years) with the ailing local/regional/national economy. One library in particular is the Kingsessing Branch, which is housed in an historic structure that could be eventually sold as part of this action.
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There will be a rally this Saturday, November 15th at 2 p.m. 1201 South 51st Street . For more information go to:
http://www.savekingsessinglibrary.com/
http://negatia.com/skl/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/petition-to-save-kingsessing-library-real.doc
Most libraries that are targeted are in poor neighborhoods, which need this valuable resource. Here is additional information from the Friends of the Free Library website:
The Latest News
Rallies & Emergency Meetings
Volunteer to help with rallies: contact Aaron Birk at brinewater@gmail.com
- Kingsessing: RALLY! Saturday, November 15th at 2 p.m. 1201 South 51st Street Save Kingsessing Blog
- Holmesburg: RALLY! Monday, November 17 at 4:00 p.m. 7810 Frankford Ave. Flyer downloadable here.
- Eastwick: RALLY! Thursday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. 2851 Island Avenue Download a flyer here.
- Kingsessing: RALLY! (part 2 – even bigger!) Saturday, November 22 Time: TBA 1201 South 51st Street Save Kingsessing Blog
- Haddington: RALLY! November 22 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) 446 North 65th Street
- Central: RALLY! with State Rep. Mark Cohen; Saturday, December 6. 12:00 p.m. (noon) 1901 Vine Street
Important Links:
- List of Library Branch Closings: by branch or by legislator
- Download a petition
- Write a letter to the editor: Philadelphia Inquirer — Daily News
- Donate to support the cause.
- Find Your Legislators
- Mayor Nutter on NPR
The Free Library will take significant budget cuts that include the permanent shuttering of 20% of its buildings or 11 branches; 71 layoffs and a $1.6 million reduction to the materials (books, tapes, DVDs, periodicals, graphic novels, etc.) budget that has not been increased in 8 years. These library buildings, some of which were built with funds from Andrew Carnegie will revert back to the public properties division to be sold. The time to take action is now. Contact us (215.567.4562) to find out how you can help. Also, contact your legislators with your concerns. Click here to find your legislators. The list of branch closings can be found here. And visit WHYY’s It’s Our City Blog for more information and community reaction.
save kingsessing library!
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That sucks… I used to live in that library. Long live Kingsessing.
i am really upset about the closing of the library. i am there at least three or four times a week. its convient to where i live. what is the community going to do without the library. now kids that do go to the library will be left out on the streets which might bring an increase in crime.