The Cazenovia Library in South Buffalo has been without dedicated funding for nearly a full year and is now facing the real possibility of having to close its doors. It has been functioning as an independent community library and resource center since 2005 after being dropped from the Buffalo & Erie County Library system due to budget cuts. However, the funding that was helping to keep a staff and programs going was lost in March 2012. Since then we have managed to keep the doors open by way of a one person volunteer staff, but our hours have been greatly reduced and all programs have been dropped. Closing this library would greatly and negatively impact a community that is already struggling. Our patrons use this library for job hunting, home schooling, GED studying, homework and school projects, general computer access because they cannot afford to own one, exam prep, supervised family visitations, meetings with community counselors , and of course, reading and book borrowing. Many of the families that come here cannot afford to own books and this is their only access. We have 2500 patrons and are signing on new members every week. The librarian at Cazenovia came on nearly a year ago , volunteering to cover the front desk in order to keep the library open to the public while the hunt went on for dedicated funds. Nearly a year later, there is no funding to pay a salary but she continues to open the doors 5 days a week. It is time for the city to find a way to help this independent library that does so much to help the community. If the Cazenovia Library has been an asset to you and your family, please sign this petition requesting funding from the city of Buffalo. It will be presented to South District Councilman Chris Scanlon. Thank you!