HOT FROM INBOX: CALL MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND TELL HIM TO RESTORE CITY LIBRARY FUNDING!!!

Last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled his budget
for FY 2009 - 2010, revealing a 22% funding cut to all
three city library systems (NYPL, Brooklyn and Queens).
These cuts would eliminate over 900 employees, eliminate
weekend service, and materials budget cuts of near or
over 30%.

I understand a need to cut costs, but now - when people
are using their libraries more than ever - it seems almost
foolish to do so. When library circulation and usage has
increased nearly thirty percent this year alone, eliminating
funding is cutting off the nose to spite the face! People
are turning to their libraries for free entertainment, internet
usage and career guidance. In fact, NYPL’s Science, Industry and
Business Library (SIBL) recently opened a new job center in
its Madison Avenue facility, and has seen record usage since
its opening on April 14th.

For me (this group creator), a library science student in
what is and still will be a great library town, this is now
past a moral calling. Jobs that belong to my classmates,
professors, colleagues and friends are now on the line.
People that have shaped my graduate school experience in ways
I cannot even begin to describe (and thank them enough for)
now may lose the chance to serve the public and influence
learners and information seekers of all ages when they
need that compass the most.

I encourage you all to write to Mayor Bloomberg and ask
him to restore library funding and the six day a week
service. It will only take a few minutes out of your day.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
PHONE 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside NYC)
FAX (212) 312-0700
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html