« South Plainfield library: Seven-member committee announced to study move | Main | Warren County freeholders approve $890,000 contract to renovate new library branch »

August 26, 2010

Jersey City library patrons, staff ask city to save library budget from cuts

Jersey Journal.
http://www.nj.com
Thursday, August 26, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Paul Valleau may only be 8 years old, but that didn't stop him from making a case - complete with exhibits - for fully funding the Jersey City Free Public Library.

Paul stood on a stool as he spoke at yesterday's City Council meeting.

His first exhibit was a poster with a slogan, "Make a splash, budget the cash," a take off on the library's summer reading campaign.

For another exhibit, he displayed two pictures of several people walking into his local library, the main branch on Jersey Avenue.

"They hold the books I need when I cannot get them at the moment," he told council members. "They help me find the books I need and they even let the top readers in the reading program - that's where 'Make a Splash' came from - go to Liberty Science Center."

His comments drew a standing ovation from the roughly 30 people in attendance.

After the meeting, Paul, a top summer reader, said he felt the need to speak out.

"It's the library. I couldn't resist," he said. "I don't want it to shut down."

Library Director Priscilla Gardner has said the city will only give the library $6 million this year to run its 10 branches. That's down from $7.7 million last year and below the $8 million she requested.

Under state law, the city must give the library $7.4 million, but that includes pension contributions for employees and the library's debt service, which the city pays.

Library patrons, staff members and representatives from the library's various programs asked the City Council to fully fund the budget.

Mary Quinn, principal librarian and manager of the Glenn D. Cunningham Branch, said the economy has placed an increased demand on libraries.

Quinn, president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3612, said the circulation was 180,000 in 2008 and jumped to 209,000 in 2009. While 2010 isn't over yet, the circulation to date is 218,000.

She said people borrow books, CDs and DVDs and rely on the library for research and access to computers and the Internet.

After listening to several speakers, Ward F Councilwoman Viola Richardson asked the administration to make cuts elsewhere. City officials are grappling with an $80 million budget deficit and have said every department will be cut.

"I just ask that we find other means of addressing the budget and not at the cost of services the library provides," Richardson said. "It is vital to the community."

Posted by tumulty at August 26, 2010 7:44 AM

Comments

Post a comment