New Report #4

Mallory Phillips

November 12, 2009

News Report #4

It May Cost Too Much to Close Libraries in Reading, Pennsylvania

By: Beverly Goldberg, American Libraries

November 4, 2009

http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2009/november2009/readingfightsback110409.cfm?persistent=&expy_dt=

In late October, it was announced that Reading, Pennsylvania would have to shut down three of their four public libraries at the end of the year. This will lay off 9 of the 20 branch library workers, and leave the city with only one operating library. Officials say that the reason for this is that the library would be losing more than $650,000 in aid from its original operating budget. Reading residents have been showing their love for their neighborhood libraries. Some elementary school children even gave the mayor several containers full of dollar bills and change for the library. One child told the mayor that, “We need libraries because it’s important for us to read. It’s good for your mind.” Concerned citizens have been brainstorming ways to help out with this issue. They have thought of incorporating part-time library staff and volunteers to help keep the other three branches open. Trustees and library advocates rallied outside of the main library, giving out information about the budget crisis, and getting people to sign a petition to work on a funding solution.

I think it’s neat to see how much libraries mean to people. The citizens of this town are really involved in this issue and desperately want something to stop the shut down of these three branches of the library. It’s sad to see that everything revolves around money. They are taking away something that people love and rely on just because there is not enough funding for it. I thought it was cute that the elementary school kids got involved and gave the mayor some money to show just how important libraries are to them. Hopefully something can be done about this situation before 80,000+ citizens only have one library to go to.