Budget crisis on track to close ALL Philly public libraries by Oct 2

That little tax cuts and war experiment is producing some swell results, eh? Cripes. Philadelphia, birthplace of the nation, home of Ben Franklin, can't afford it's libraries. That is so fucked up.

We deeply regret to inform you that without the necessary budgetary legislation by the State Legislature in Harrisburg, the City of Philadelphia will not have the funds to operate our neighborhood branch libraries, regional libraries, or the Parkway Central Library after October 2, 2009.

Specifically, the following will take effect after the close of business, October 2, 2009:

* All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled

* All Parkway Central Library programs, including children programs, programs to support small businesses and job seekers, computer classes and after school programs, will be cancelled. We are exploring the possibility of relocating the Philadelphia Author Series programs to other non-library facilities.

* All library visits to schools, day care centers, senior centers and other community centers will cease.

* All community meetings at our branch and regional libraries, and the Parkway Central Library, will be cancelled.

* All GED, ABE and ESL programs held at Free Library branches will be discontinued, students should contact their teacher to see if other arrangements are being made.

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/closing/

The library is also the city's largest provider of internet access, BTW. 41% of city homes have no connection.

But wait, that's not all of it:

If the Philadelphia budget relief bill passes the House, it would still have to pass the state Senate. The report quoted Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, as saying the legislation would not pass the Republican-controlled Senate.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has said the city needs to raise the sales tax from 7 percent to 8 percent, and defer pension payments, to avoid a draconian "Plan C" budget. The Plan C budget would result in the elimination of 3,000 positions, among them police officers and fire department staff, and the closure of all libraries and recreation centers, among other things.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/09/07/daily28.html

:puke:

...don't want the colored folk learning to read, they'll just get exposed to ideas.

Being a Philly native, I am completely shocked by this!

What the hell is going on there?

My sister has worked for the Free Library of Philadelphia for close to 30 years now. :(

I'm stunned. I'll need to call her tomorrow and see what's going on. I don't live in Philly anymore.

This is going to destroy so many lives, the library is one of the only afterschool programs available in the low income neighborhoods.

I feel sick to my stomach right now.

.
.
.

:popcorn:

can't afford a high priced connection.