Monday, May 31, 2010

Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries Continue to Look for One-Time Financial Help


Link to May 31 Charlotte Observer article, "One-time funds in question".

Excerpt: There is momentum in the city of Charlotte and some county towns to give the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library one-time financial help to keep branches open.

But it's unclear if the libraries will receive the full $8 million requested. If the libraries receive less money, the Library Board of Trustees would likely face a difficult process of deciding which branches to close and how much input the governmental donors would have in the process.

Faced with a nearly 50 percent budget cut, the Library Board voted to close three branches in June - Carmel, Checkit Outlet and Belmont Center - and to temporarily close the Beatties Ford Road branch, which is being renovated.

If the system doesn't receive the emergency money, it has said it will close 12 more branches in July. That would leave six regional libraries operating, along with a branch at ImaginOn and the Main Library uptown
.

Related articles:
High school junior speaks out eloquently for libraries.  (5/30/2010)
Mayor Foxx on the art of governing.  (5/30/2010)
Mayor supports financial help for library.  (5/27/2010)
County budget:  Oh, yeah, this is fair.  (5/25/2010)
Bailout proposal not gaining traction.  (5/23/2010)
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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