Chicago Public Library Adds Movie Downloads, Addresses Budget Cuts

By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 28, 2008 9:45PM

Strapped for cash? Had to cancel the Netflix membership? The Chicago Public Library has added video to its Downloadable Media Catalog page. According to Library Director Mary Dempsey, any downloaded programs would be available for a three-week period after which they would delete themselves. The catalog features around 530 titles currently but looks to expand in the near future. This comes on the heels of yesterday's announcement that circulation at area libraries is up 28 percent. The bad news? Not even the library is immune from budget cuts: late fines are going to double and five employees are being laid off. In addition, 443 vacant full- and part-time positions are being eliminated, but there is no indication that library hours will be cut.