Going from Bad to Worse in Camden, New Jersey

Link to November 14 New York Times article, "New Troubles on Top of Old".

Excerpt: This city closed its dilapidated central library in the 1980s and never provided the money for restoration or demolition. So the landmark building rots on its weed-choked lot, with most of the roof caved in and a large tree growing up through its middle. “It could be a metaphor for the city,” said Jerome Szpila, the city library director.

[snip]

Camden drew national attention recently, when officials said this city of 79,000 people might become the largest in the country without a public library — a threat that was put on hold, though one of three branches closed. But the distress goes far beyond libraries. Ms. Redd, 42, a former councilwoman and state senator, cut the city’s budget by nearly one-quarter, furloughed workers one day a week and warned that every department would send out pink slips in December.

Related articles:
Reformatting the library.  (10/16/2010)
2011 budget outlook remains bleak for Camden New Jersey.  (10/9/2010)
Fairview branch library is closed for good.  (9/8/2010)
Library board postpones decision on closing branch.  (9/2/2010)
"An oasis in the desert".  (8/15/2010)
Camden New Jersey squeeze play?  (8/11/2010)
Camden mayor plays an odd game of library advocacy.  (8/9/2010)
The library dumpster solution.  (8/6/2010)