Mayor Recommends Temporary Suspension of Service at Seven Branches
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With projected City budget shortfalls, last Wednesday (11/5) Mayor Sanders proposed the temporary shuttering of seven branch libraries. The Mayor said these closures will be revisited in Fiscal Year 2010. The branches proposed for temporary closure are:
- Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch,
- Carmel Mountain Ranch,
- Clairemont Ocean Beach,
- Mountain View/Beckwourth,
- Ocean Beach,
- University Heights, and
- University Community.
The timing of these proposed temporary branch closures is troublesome. 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 (versus the same period) in San Diego Public Libraries.
The Mayor’s recommendations require action by the San Diego City Council. A public hearing on these recommendations is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 12 and 19. The Friends of the San Diego Public Library encourages all Library supporters to:
- Contact their City Council representative and make plans to attend the Council meeting to voice their concerns over branch closures.
- 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.
- Stay informed of how to communicate their support of libraries by joining the Friends Advocacy Network. Network members receive e-mails about Library issues, such as the proposed closures and help deliver the library's message to elected officials, neighbors and community leaders. To join this network, enter your e-mail here and select the "Friends Library Advocacy" group from the sign up list.
- Contribute to the Library in this time of need.
