Come hear what Mark Tendam, Ald. 6th Ward has to say about the Branch library discussions for upcoming City Council Meetings. Let him hear our voices and strategize about ways to save our libraries. Meeting will be hosted at N Branch, Tuesday 7 – 9PM.

The City Manager released his proposed budget Friday.

BUDGET CLOSES THE BRANCH LIBRARIES FEB. 28, 2011

Come to a City Council Meeting Monday Night 7PM at the Civic Center

This is what the City Manager’s report says about the branches in his transmittal letter at p. 13:

Library Services: There has been much community discussion about library services during the past nine months since my proposal in December, 2009 to close the North and South Branch Libraries. At the time, there was no organized support for the Evanston Public Library and the announcement of the proposed closure was met with silence initially from the community. Shortly after, the Friends of the Evanston Public Library were re-established and a tremendous fundraising effort was launched.

The Evanston Library Board also became re-engaged during this period.

Unfortunately, the focus on the library these past several months demonstrated the severe resource problems that the library has. There is no way to appreciably change this without substantial new revenue coming to the library to not only sustain the moderate level of resources currently available to the library, but resources to give the library greater ability to serve the public.

I am not recommending any new resources for the library with the proposed FY 2011 budget. I am proposing that the City close the North and South Branch Libraries on February 28, 2011 and use the budgeted resources for the branches to go toward enhanced support of the Main Library. I believe the City of Evanston has the best opportunity to support libraries by focusing resources at one primary facility to the best of our abilities and continue outreach efforts around the City. I am also committed to fundraising for the library to enhance our collection and to support outreach efforts.

Write your alderman, the Mayor, the City Manager and let them know how you feel about this. Copy us at info@eplfriends.org.

The City has posted the online survey of what to keep and what to slash — and the Libraries are in both sections.

It can be tricky since it’s worded so crazily, so pay attention. It literally takes a minute, so please do this NOW, as the online poll will only be live until Midnight on Tuesday.

Tell your friends – and be sure they vote.

Evanston Public Library Friends group members are rightfully disgusted by last week’s action of the Evanston Public Library Board to adopt a zero-tax-increase guideline.

Friends group members expressed their anger by leaving the downtown library’s community room as the board finished its 5-3 vote Sept. 15 in support of the proposal by member Diane Allen-Jacobi.

The zero tax increase, except for salary and benefit adjustments, makes no sense in light of the board’s recent decision to take control of the library system budget by switching to a Library Fund model.

READ THE REST OF THE EDITORIAL HERE.

• When: September 14th at 7PM
• Where: Council Chambers, 2100 Ridge

First of all, thank you to everyone who stayed up late to sit through the City Council meeting last night, and HUGE SHOUT OUT to all those who spoke. There were many new voices and messages and it was great to have everyone there.

Tonight’s Resident Budget Input meeting is equally as important, as the City says Citizen input at last year’s budget sessions said to close the branch libraries. Come let your voice be heard that you support a strong library system in Evanston and put a priority on proper funding of the library’s budget.

Sept. 14, 7PM Council Chambers, 2100 Ridge.

And mark your calendars for the next Budget meeting. 9/29, 7PM at Levy Center 300 Dodge Ave.

• dsq_thread_id:

For many weeks we’ve heard the opinion of our Mayor both to us and through others, and now she’s stated her stance in an editorial in the Evanston Review. We urge you to read this Opinion by our Mayor and comment as you see fit. Is this how Evanston really feels about its libraries? We need each of your voices to let the City know how we feel about preserving and enhancing our City’s libraries. Then PLEASE COME to an important City Council meeting between the Library Board and the City Council on Monday, Sept. 13th 7PM. Let ’em hear you.

Guest Essay: Great library system just too costly to city ::Forum:: PIONEER PRESS :: Evanston Review