HELP SAVE THE NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY
24-HOUR READ-IN
Noon-to-Noon (Tuesday, Aug. 31-Wednesday, Sept. 1)
City Hall Steps
920 Broad Street, Newark
- Bring a book to read aloud!
- Join the campaign to restore devastating budget cuts!
- Help re-open two closed branches!
- Reverse two-day-a-week Main Branch closing!
- Restore full-time hours for our hard-pressed employees!
- Demand immediate action from our elected “leaders!”
- Don’t let the mayor and council off the hook!
- When you vote, think about the consequences!
- Call and keep calling:
Mayor’s Office: 973-733-6400
Ronald C. Rice, West Ward 973-733-6427 ricero@ci.newark.nj.us
Darrin Sharif, Central Ward 973-733-5870 sharifd@ci.newark.nj.us
Anibal Ramos, North Ward 973-733-5136 ramosa@ci.newark.nj.us
Ras Baraka, South Ward 973-733-6563 barakar@ci.newark.nj.us
Augusto Amador, East Ward 973-733-6571 amadora@ci.newark.nj.us
Donald Payne, Jr, At-Large 973-733-3753 payned@ci.newark.nj.us
Mildred Crump, At-Large 973-733-8043 crumpm@ci.newark.nj.us
Luis Quintana, At-Large 973-733-5882 quintanal@ci.newark.nj.us
Carlos Gonzalez, At-Large 973-733-6425 gonzalezc@ci.newark.nj.us
For more information about rallies and events: www.savenewarklibraries.org email: info@savenewarklibraries.org
DON'T LIVE IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ?
CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY TO SEE IF THEY NEED HELP FIGHTING DRASTIC BUDGET CUTS NOW!
Statement From New Jersey Library Association Urban Libraries Section
ReplyDeleteURBAN LIBRARIES ARE ESSENTIAL
The New Jersey Library Association advocates that all communities and elected officials
fund urban public libraries at levels above the statutory minimum, which will allow these
institutions to provide necessary and effective services for all residents of the state.
Economic environment
The economic difficulties of the past two years have been extremely challenging for all
residents of New Jersey but particularly for those living in urban areas. High unemployment, reduced afterschool programs and limited technology access have all contributed to a decline in opportunities for urban residents. New Jersey’s urban libraries provide essential services that residents need for survival and success.
Library response
Urban libraries provide a wide variety of resources and services that no other single
institution can provide. As community anchors, these libraries provide: assistance in
finding employment; access to government services; access to and assistance with
technology; support for small business owners; a safe environment for children to read
and learn; support for learners with indispensable resources critical to their success; and public programs for education, entertainment, and literacy.
Funding
Statutory minimum funding for libraries in New Jersey is based on local tax bases.
Because these bases are limited in New Jersey's urban communities, cities have
historically funded their urban libraries above the statutory minimum in order to enable
these libraries to provide the essential services needed by their communities. State aid to cities ameliorated the funding burden. When state aid was cut, cities were forced to cut
library funding to the statutory minimum. The results of inadequate library funding have
been devastating: hours have been cut, libraries closed, staff eliminated, and books and online resources reduced.
Impact
Reductions in funding in cities like Camden, Trenton, Newark, and Jersey City are
destroying the equal opportunity lifeline for those who are disadvantaged, poor, poorly
educated, or newly arrived in this country. Urban libraries are a critical and essential
governmental service that ensures equal access to information for all communities.
Developed by the NJLA Urban Libraries Section and adopted by the NJLA Executive
Board Sept. 21, 2010