Jun 9 – Let City Council Know You Support Your Library

Dear Library Supporter,

I hope you can attend the San Diego City Council meeting on Monday, June 9 at 2 p.m. to let City leaders know the importance of Library services.

At this meeting, the Council will consider and possibly vote on the Mayor’s proposed budget. It is important our elected leaders understand that San Diegans value their libraries and expect strong public support for the library system.

The Mayor’s Proposed Budget calls for funding additional hours at all libraries, and expands the number of libraries open on Sundays from eight to 12. The proposed budget also creates a new homework service to provide after-school tutoring at 18 libraries.

These are important additions. However, the proposed budget calls for a $500,000 decrease in spending for library materials. A majority of Council members have called for a return of those funds in their budget revision memos to the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA). The IBA agrees encouraging the Council to reinstate $500,000 to the Library’s materials budget. We call on the Council to not reduce important funding for library resources.

We need your immediate help to ensure our elected leaders know how much this community values and supports Library services. Please:

• Email your City Council representative. Encourage him or her to approve additional Library hours and support a Library book budget at current levels.
• Attend the Budget Committee meeting on Monday, June 9 at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the 12th floor of City Hall (202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101). Consider making public comments supporting additional Library hours and the new after-school tutoring program. Encourage the Council to adopt IBA recommendations and maintain the Library’s current book budget. If you would like to attend but do not wish to speak, you can fill out a form showing Committee members your Library support. Let us know if you are able to attend.
• Forward this email to other Library supporters and ask them to take action and to join the Friends Advocacy Network by visiting here and entering their email address.

Thank you for your support.

Joan Curry
President, Friends of the San Diego Public Library
Friends of the San Diego Public Library
4193 Park Blvd./ San Diego, CA 92103-2510 / Phone: 619-542-1724 / Facebook