Its very sad, but our library system is going to have to close Mondays starting October 11.
The news hit today (Press Release, Mercury News)
Many libraries throughout Silicon Valley will be closed on Mondays, beginning October 11, due to a $1.1 million budget shortfall this fiscal year for the Santa Clara County Library system.The libraries affected are located in Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, and Saratoga. Also cut back will be two branches operated by the Santa Clara County Library -- Alum Rock and Woodland -- and the popular Bookmobile that serves outlying neighborhoods, child care centers, senior centers and migrant labor camps.
The action was the result of a unanimous vote by the Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority, which also took into account the possible loss of $5.3 million in June 2005 when the Benefit Assessment tax expires. This is a significant revenue source for the Santa Clara County Library system, and the JPA will discuss at future meetings what additional cutbacks may be needed. Still under consideration by the JPA is whether to ask voters in 2005 if this source of funding for the libraries should be continued. A measure on the March 2004 Election Ballot that would have extended the assessment fell just short of the required two-thirds vote for approval.
I was at the JPA meeting where they voted for the closure. It just makes me sad to think of all those people who need the library not being able to use it -- and Monday is often a very busy day there. Time to start working on the next ballot initiative to restore funding and get those important services back!
Posted by Emily at September 7, 2004 09:01 PM