Save the O.B. Library ! – Save ’em all !

Dear Friend of the Library:

Last week Mayor Jerry Sanders proposed temporary closure of seven branch libraries.

Please take steps today to let your City Council representative know you oppose this reduction in crucial library service.

The Mayor proposed the temporary closures as part of an effort to reduce expenditures in the face of projected City revenue shortfalls. The Mayor’s recommendations call for branch closures which will be revisited in Fiscal Year 2010. The branches proposed for closure are:

• Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch

• Carmel Mountain Ranch

• Clairemont

• Mountain View/Beckwourth

• Ocean Beach

• University Heights

• University Community

This Wednesday–November 12–the San Diego City Council will consider these recommendations. Please join me in strongly and vocally opposing this reduction in crucial library service. The Friends of the San Diego Public Library encourages all Library supporters to:

1. Contact their City Council representative and make plans to attend the Council meeting to voice their concerns over branch closures. The City Council meeting is scheduled to hear public comment on these recommendations on Wednesday, November 12 and, if needed, the following Wednesday on November 19. If you cannot attend these meetings, please e-mail your representative to tell them you oppose the closures.
2. Make plans to attend the City Council Meeting this Wednesday and tell the Council why these libraries must remain open. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. We have just learned from Council that the meeting will begin with comments from the Mayor’s staff. Public comment will immediately follow the presentation from the Mayor’s staff. Comments will be heard based upon the order of sign up prior to the meeting. You can complete a “Speaker Slip” 15 minutes before the meeting begins (8:45 a.m.). The meeting is in the City Council Chambers on the 12th floor of the City Administration Building at 202 C Street. The meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to Noon and 2 to 5 p.m.
3. Send a letter to the editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune and let them know your opposition to suppression of library service. Those of you living in the North County can also send a letter to the editor to the North County Times.
4. Encourage your friends and neighbors to actively oppose these recommendations. Please forward this e-mail to as many library supporters as you can and tell them to also join the Friends Advocacy Network. To join this network, enter an e-mail address here and select the “Friends Library Advocacy” group from the sign up list.
5. Contribute to the Library in this time of need. At this time, the Library needs both advocates and those willing to make financial contributions. To make a secure online donation, visit here.

In communication with City Council Members, remember these important points:

• During difficult economic times, more people turn to the free materials, resources and programs available at their local branch library. National research shows that during recession, library usage increased an average of 8.3 percent.
• In the last three months, there was an 8 percent increase in circulation in San Diego Public Libraries.
• A 2007 Gates Foundation study found that public libraries are the sole source of employment and educational information for millions of Americans. During these tough times, San Diegans need their libraries.
• The Library is being asked to take a disproportionate share of proposed cuts. The proposed cuts of more than $2 million to the Library’ s $37.6 million FY09 budget are a 5.4% reduction. Cuts recommended for the Parks and Recreation, Fire and Police Departments are all 2.5% or less than those departments’ budgets.

Thank you for your help in opposing these recommended library closures.

Shelia Padgett
First Vice President
Friends of the San Diego Public Library