Thursday, November 25, 2010

Evanston Public Library Branches: To Be or Not To Be

The debate continues.


Link to November 19 Chicago Tribune article, "Library Board broaches closing branches".

Excerpt: Considering the city has reduced the library’s portion of the budget over the past decade the board has evaluated several funding alternatives including the creation of Special Service Areas (like those established to collect property tax revenue around certain city parks), conversion to an independent Library District or the use of a Library Fund to control budget decisions.

Branch libraries have been a divisive issue among aldermen. Concerned citizens have lobbied the City Council to keep the branches open while others have argued for letting the main library serve the community’s needs.

Last month the council shot down the idea of a voter referendum on library closures. For over an hour Wednesday, the council debated the issue, voting against a measure to fully fund the branches while establishing SSAs next year. The council ended up leaving the decision to the Library Board.
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Push for library district in Evanston. (1/23/2010)
Evanston branches on chopping block. (1/22/2010)

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