Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Show Your Support of Libraries at the City Council Meeting Tonight!


Despite the reprieve on closing La Farge one day a week, the New Mexican editorial today stated that “Tonight, Library supporters had said they plan to show up in force to let councilors know that they believe too many cuts have been proposed to library hours and staffing—although the initial proposal apparently has been discarded.

It would be great to have a contingent at City Hall Council Chambers.  The Council meeting begins at 5:00 pm but has special recognitions until at least 5:45pm  After that it is up to Council to decide if they will change the agenda to do the Budget first. At this point it is on the Agenda as item 11.

The regular general public comment session is on the agenda for 7:00 pm if anyone wants to address the importance of libraries. Usually each person is given 3-5 minutes.  A great forum to reinforce the value of libraries.


And the City press release:

No Changes to the La Farge Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library


The City of Santa Fe announces that there will be no changes in operating hours or cuts in services to the La Farge Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library.

“Library staff has worked hard on a plan to streamline services internally,” said Patricia Hodapp, Director of Libraries for the City of Santa Fe. “We can keep the library open and maintain our current level of service, despite some positions not being filled.”

The city budget submitted to the Finance Committee on April 22, 2013 recommends not filling 45 city-wide vacant positions, as part of a larger plan to balance a budget shortfall. The Santa Fe Public Library is part of the city-wide sustainable plan to balance the budget and has developed a strategy to maintain its current level of services without cutting library hours.

Thanks to resourceful planning by library staff the proposal to close the La Farge Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library one day a week is no longer necessary. The La Farge Branch provides services for an estimated 66,686 computer users who use the library to create resumes, apply for jobs and research for classes.


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