Anonymous Patron writes “
Library Crisis Update
Dear Library Friends and Supporters,
Yesterday Common Pleas Court Judge Mathew Carrafiello heard arguments from AFSCME locals 2186 and 2187 representing librarians in a bid to block the city’s plans to lay off workers and delegate 20 branches as ‘Express’ libraries, open only 4 hrs per day and staffed by clerks instead of accredited librarians. 10 Branches have already become ‘express’, with 10 more scheduled for restricted service in the next few weeks.
Judge Carrafeillo prohibited the city from moving forward with the library cuts until April 8th, when he will issue a ruling on the case. The Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia was served a subpoena to testify on behalf of Friends Groups, library users and the 20,000 individuals who signed petitions in opposition of these service cuts.
http://www.libraryfriends.info/cgi-bin/index.pl?i
Amy Dougherty, Executive Director
Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Phila. PA 19103
Phone: 215-567-4562
Mobile: 267-254-5768
FAX: 215-567-1328
Email: Amy
WEB:http://www.libraryfriends.info“
The First Free Library in the US?
Wasn’t the Philadelphia Free Library…proposed by Benjamin Franklin and was it, or was it not the FIRST Free Public Library versus a private subscription library in the US?
This is where we make our stand. Staff layoffs, book dumping, closed libraries, it all stops right here.
It’s time for a revolution in favor of libraries!
Here’s a direct link to Michael Nutter’s comments in biblioblatherlog posted by Rochelle on LisNews on Wednesday,
http://biblioblatherblog.blogspot.com/2005/03/some times-you-just-have-to-say-this-is.html
Re:The First Free Library in the US?
Sorry, but Benjamin Franklin founded a private subscription library, the Library Company of Philadelphia–www.librarycompany.org. It’s a common misperception that he founded the Free Library of Philadelphia–www.library.phila.gov.
I think Ben would have liked the idea of free public libraries. I don’t think he would like a duplicitous administration that is drastically reducing branch hours and laying off librarians while raising millions to build an addition to the Central Library that will end up having less space for collections.
I believe the first tax-supported public library was Boston Public Library–but maybe it was one in New Hampshire? I think two places maybe claim the “first.” But that’s not what matters here. What matters is that there are times when professionals should say no.