SAN DIEGANS DESERVE A FULL TIME LIBRARY SYSTEM

So, it has happened.  Due to the state of the City finances and true to form, the Library Department budget was reduced, and as of September 15, no City library is open on Sundays and less than half (17 of 37 branches) are open on Mondays.  And who knows, the City could continue to balance the budget on back of the Library and close all branches two days a week.

Losing two days of library activity will come at a steep price, especially for some of the least-resourced people in our City.  For many San Diegans, libraries are a lifeline.  It is now up to us, the community, to educate the City administration and our elected officials and get our Sundays and Mondays back.

We know that advocacy works.  At the end of the last budget cycle, budget dollars were restored to the Library budget to keep at least 17 of the 37 library branches open after our elected officials heard from San Diegans across the city.

Friends of the San Diego Public Library resolves to keep the issue at the forefront of the City Council and the city administration with public testimony at scheduled meetings.  We will write to elected officials.  We will invite our electeds to library events in their districts so they can understand the value of the libraries in their districts.

What can YOU do?

You can email your City Councilperson and the Mayor let them know how important your local library is to you.  Ask your friends to write too.  And share a story of hardship created by branch closures if you know of one.