Madison, Wisconsin: "Studious readers of city meeting agendas" make shocking discovery

Discontinue services at the Ashman Branch Library?

That is shocking!

District 19 Alder Mark Clear assures his constituents that "No, we are not closing the Ashman library."

He then explains why this proposal was prepared.

As directed by the mayor, library staff have developed a contingency plan to show how they would cut 3% from their budget should it be necessary. To meet that target, staff recommends closing the Ashman Branch library at Old Sauk and High Point.

I'm cautious but confident that such a calamity will not be necessary.

So let's put this contingency in perspective.

If Ashman were a standalone library, its 2012 circulation would have placed it in the top 25.

23.  West Bend Community Library - 570,205
24.  Alicia Ashman Library                - 545,624
25.  McMillan Memorial Library         - 541,338

As long as we're at it, let's take a look at 2 other circulation comparisons.

12.  Oshkosh Public Library - 1,040,892
13.  Sequoya                          -    980,012
14.  Neenah Public Library   -    962,756

19.  Brookfield Public Library   - 708,760
20.  Pinney                                  - 687,087
21.  Sun Prairie Public Library  - 670,133