Opposition to Library Budget Cuts Gains Momentum

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Oct 26, 2011 9:00PM

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his 2012 budget last week, and it proposed cutting $11 million from the budget for the Chicago Public Libraries system, which isn't sitting well with supporters and aldermen. Emanuel's budget would reduce hours of operation for all Chicago's libraries and lay-off hundreds of library employees, and library supporters have until Nov. 9 to persuade the City Council not to support Emanuel's proposal, and they already have quite a few aldermen on their side.

Ald. Ariel Reboyras, 30th, told the Tribune, "I believe the proposed cuts will affect our most vulnerable, our working-class poor.” That's certainly true. In addition to cutting 32 percent of the library staff -- 284 staff members and eliminating 268 vacant positions -- it would also affect the resources for those hunting for jobs.

Most of our readers are probably sitting at their office desk right now, or maybe you're reading this while riding the CTA with your iPhone. But what if you didn't have that? Well, you'd go to the library to use their computers. Not just to read for fun, but to find a job so that you have an office desk to go to.

Children and teens use them to study. The libraries also have children's programs, which have served 418,055 children already this year. There are events to promote literacy and other after-school programs. Plus, homeless go there in the winter to warm up.

Maybe you haven't been to a public library in years. Did you know they carry e-books now? Libraries have actually become more popular in recent years, although 2010's budget cuts slowed growth. The Tribune writes:

In 2010, Chicago library officials estimated about 11.6 million visitors walked through their doors, down from 13.4 million in 2009. This year's numbers also are expected to drop to about 11 million.

Circulation was trending upward from 2005 to 2010, when branch hours were reduced. The library has circulated 7.2 million items through September this year, slightly less than from January through September 2010.

The Save Chicago's Public Libraries movement is drafting an amendment to Emanuel's proposed 2012 that would fully restore library funding. If you want to help, you can sign the online petition or call or visit your aldermen.