Sunday, May 23, 2010

Bailout Proposal for Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries Not Gaining Traction


Link to May 22 Charlotte Observer article, "Foxx's bailout proposal for Mecklenburg is uncertain: Foxx's proposal of one-time financial rescue for schools, libraries by city has stalled".

Excerpt: Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx has proposed that the city give schools and libraries a one-time financial bailout, but city staff isn't working on a rescue plan and some council members said they don't see any momentum behind the idea.

"There hasn't been any formal or behind-the scenes discussions about it," said City Council member Patrick Cannon. "We have to get our own ducks in a row."

On April 26, Libraries Director Charles Brown met Charlotte City Manager Curt Walton and managers of other Mecklenburg municipalities and asked them for $3 million total to stave off some library closings. If the libraries received that cash, along with $5 million from Mecklenburg County, Brown said he could keep from closing 12 library branches in early July.

Brown said two members of the library board also met with Foxx and asked the mayor for the same financial help. Brown said he hoped the towns could donate $1 million and the city of Charlotte give $2 million
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Related articles:
Library trustees vote to close 4 branches.  (5/20/2010)
Mecklenburg County tightens its belt.  (5/20/2010)
County manager cuts $14.7 million from library budget.  (5/18/2010)
2010-11 Mecklenburg County budget to be unveiled today.  (5/18/2010)
North Carolina woman plans on "going straight to the top" to keep Charlotte libraries open.  (5/16/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg officials ask local municipalities for $3 million contribution.  (4/30/2010)
Library Board chair speaks out.  (4/25/2010)
County commissioners seek ways to ease library cuts.  (4/23/2010)
Mecklenburg County needs to reduce $85-90 million deficit.  (4/16/2010)
County manager takes library board to task.  (4/10/2010)
Libraries now open fewer hours.  (4/6/2010)
"Save Our Libraries Sunday".  (3/29/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg users owe average of 55 cents in fines.  (3/27/2010)
Library announces new hours for branches.  (3/26/2010)
Library Board applies a Band-Aid to its bleeding system.  (3/25/2010)
Follow-up on Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board vote.  (3/25/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board votes to keep all branches open.  (3/24/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Board presented with 2 budget-cutting alternatives.  (3/24/2010)
More and bigger cuts looming on horizon. (3/23/2010)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library System Rethinks Closings. (3/22/2010)
A New Day is Dawning in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County. (3/21/2010)

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