Comments on: Mayor Sanders Changes his Position on Libraries! Seriously?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:00:15 +0000

Equitable – fair – was I dreaming when I heard these words used in the initial budget process? If this proposal goes forward, the 8th largest city in these United Hates (whoops) will not have a single City Library open on Saturdays after 3:00pm. That, my friends is an abomination.

By: Danny Morales

Danny Morales — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:05:28 +0000

Shawn, you’re semi-bright idea sounds somewhat ridiculous but below the surface I’ll raise you one semi-ridiculous and bid an impossible; a city tax on all DOD transactions to pay for the transition.- Es sea rad, no?

By: annagrace

annagrace — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:20:51 +0000

Update: We won the battle but lost the war on this one. The good news is that there will be no pairing of libraries, and there will be no staff layoffs. I attended the budget committee meeting 12/2. The Mayor submitted his revised library budget with the above changes. All branch libraries will be open 5 days a week. Their hours will be reduced from 41 to 36 hours a week. Central library will be open 6 days, with hours reduced from 52 to 44 hours a week.

I stated in my initial posting that “you can slice it thick or you can slice it thin, but it’s still baloney.” We ended up with baloney. Sanders did not reduce his initial proposed cut from the library budget- still disproportionate to every other General Fund department. He’s boiling that lobster year after year, a few degrees at a time and will continue to do so unless we are unified and say “enough. ” We are obviously not there yet.

By: Shawn Conrad

Shawn Conrad — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:49:03 +0000

I had a semi-bright idea.

Would it be possible to combine libraries with another more profitable public service to leverage the costs? For example, house (public_service_01)’s billing or customer care into an available room in the library to offset utility costs, etc.

Does that sound ridiculous?

By: lane tobias

lane tobias — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:11:54 +0000

seriously Anna, y0u are the rock star on the library scene. I recently completed my fifth book in less than a month, taken out of the library, as well as two movies and a cd. i dont have the extra cash to buy these things, so the library provides these services they are essential to self-education and creative indulgences.

I do not, however, think some sort of fee would be such a bad thing. maybe a yearly membership fee, that would give members a little extra oomph in the pecking order or something….i may be in the minority, but considering how often i use the library, i would not be opposed. I don’t think a small fee to use the internet is outrageous either. maybe a quarter or something….has that been discussed further or was that just a passing idea?

By: annagrace

annagrace — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:03:07 +0000

Erin- the budget hearing is Dec 2, 9:00am in the Council Chambers. I’ll be there. I’ll also post the rest of the meeting dates coming up. Thanks!

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:09:35 +0000

Hey Anna! Good job! Now, do you know anything about a special budget meeting tomorrow? I was trying to have someone get an official poster about the proposed cuts, but, well… you know how that went. I was told that we could post the information about the upcoming council hearings, but it’s unclear to me when those are.

luv ya lots!
erin

By: annagrace

annagrace — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:00:09 +0000

Molly-thank you. My motto is “Don’t tell me what you think. Show me what you do.” I’m in the third act of my life and don’t have time to be disenchanted for more than 2 minutes. Thanks again!

By: Molly

Molly — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:49:01 +0000

OB Joe – busted me! Okay I admit it. But it’s so easy giving Monty grief. He leaves himself so wide open at times and he so deserves it, but you’re right, you moron!

By: OB Joe

OB Joe — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:47:09 +0000

Molly – golly. You just congratulated Anna on not slinging anything at others, then you go to another post on this blog and give Monty grief. WTF!? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.