Indiana's Hammond Public Library to Close its Hayward and Howard Branches

Ind. city's 2 remaining library branches to close. Northwest Indiana Times, 9/28/2011.

Excerpt: A northern Indiana city is closing its two remaining library branches to deal with a more than $800,000 cash shortfall.

More than 70 people packed a community room at Hammond's main library Tuesday to plead with the Hammond Public Library Board to keep the two branches open, saying children and adults use the branches' computers, books and programs.

But the board voted to close the E.B. Hayward and Howard library branches as of Nov. 1.

Hammond library board seeks input on branch closures. (Northwest Indiana Times, 9/25/2011)

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In 2009, nearly 20% of Hammond's population lived in poverty.