Hey guys!
This is a call to arms for everyone who loves and supports their local libraries! I live in Glendale Arizona and for the 2012-2013 year the city is facing a really bad budget deficit. This deficit means that my local libraries are in a HUGE crisis because they're going to be the ones on the chopping block when it comes time for the city council members to vote on who does and doesn't get money. This could mean several things for my local libraries:
- Their hours would get cut. The main library branch would only be open 3 days a week and the other branches would be open 2 days a week. That is a HUGE change that would definitely affect me, my family, and anyone else in our town who frequents the library.
- All programming gets cut. This would mean no book clubs, no craft events for kids, nothing. Maybe even no summer reading program.
- Shutting down all the library branches except for the main branch. This would be devastating for anyone who used those libraries and for the employees who worked there.
- Shutting down the libraries altogether and then reopening small "store-front" libraries instead with no events or programming, and minimal staffing and materials.
I will be the first to say that The Glendale Public Libraries have been more than just libraries to me. They have been a place for me to learn and grow as an individual, and without them I probably wouldn't have discovered my passion for becoming a librarian.
At this point you're probably asking yourself: What can I do?
First of all me and a bunch of other library loving teens have created the "Save the Glendale Public Libraries" Facebook page. Go and like the page. Even if you don't live in Glendale LIKE IT!
We also have a Twitter account! You can follow us here. Feel free to tweet it to people, tweet the Facebook page to people, etc. Let people know that The Glendale Public Libraries deserve funding!
Lastly if you're reading this and you happen to live in Glendale GREAT! Go to this link here to find your council member and let them know how much you love and support your library.
Don't let the Glendale Public Libraries go down without a fight! HELP KEEP THEM ALIVE!
Julia :)
I'll like the FB page as soon as I get a chance -- they tried completely shutting down my city's library, last summer, and it was horrible. In the end, we managed to fight it enough that we kept the library, just with reduced hours and days, but still. I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely like the page when I'm home from work. This is so sad! Thanks for being the voice of the people.
ReplyDeletexo,
La Toya (La Toya, Literally)
[insert sad face] I love the library, it's like netflix for books. I hope you win the fight. I liked the page!
ReplyDelete