Sheboygan Residents Keep Speaking Up for Their Library

Link to November 23 Sheboygan Press letter to the editor, "Restore cut in Mead Public Library".

Excerpt: The Nov. 15 meeting was flooded with public input and given petitions from almost 1,500 citizens to restore library funding. Their response: a revised budget that restored funding to other parts of city government but kept the library budget cuts in place.

Libraries are not luxuries. Our citizens rely on them to run their businesses, stay informed, and entertain themselves and, for some, a place to go without spending money. For those who cannot buy books, rent DVDs or go online to read or do research from their own homes, libraries are critical lifelines in troubled times.

Link to November 23 Sheboygan Press letter to the editor, "1,400 sign petitions to keep library fully funded".

Excerpt: There are many good things in Sheboygan. One that really stands out is Mead Public Library.

Recently, I had the opportunity to see the Mead in a new light — not just what it provides me, but what it provides the 120 people an hour walking through its doors.

It's the place where 37,000 reference questions were asked last year; where 358,267 visits were recorded; where 902,000 items were checked out; and where countless historical adventures, trips to the moon and mysterious journeys took place. Nearly everyone who walked through the doors wanted to sign the petition to provide maintenance of effort to Mead and save it from budget cuts — people who use Mead to find jobs, learn a language or skill, connect with the past or read with their kids.

On Monday, I had the honor of presenting the names of 1,400 Sheboygan residents to the mayor and Common Council.

Related articles:
Alderman plans to introduce amendment to address library budget shortfall.  (11/22/2010)
Sheboygan continues to speak up for its library.  (11/21/2010)
Residents speak up for their library.  (11/16/2010)
Library facing 11% cut in 2011 budget.  (10/9/2010)
Mayor offers his 2011 budget.  (10/5/2010)
Officials face $1,500,000 budget deficit in 2011.  (6/10/2010)
Council approves Mayor's new appointments to library board.  (4/28/2010)
Mayor questioned about library board appointments.  (4/26/2010)
Sheboygan Press Editorial Board supports library funding deal.  (11/27/2009)
Library likely to maintain its Maintenance of Effort funding.  (11/24/2009)
Update on library's Maintenance of Effort.  (11/20/2009)
Maintenance of Effort and the Mead Public Library.  (7/6/2009)