The budget cuts have been reversed and our library hours are staying exactly where they need to be. This victory proves that we can protect our vital services when we pressure officials collectively. Keep checking the library website to ensure these restored hours remain fully funded throughout the coming year.
December 31, 2010
Final supporters
SITUATION: The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library faces a $6.8 million shortfall for 2011 if the budget proposed by County Executive Chris Collins stands. Library hours will be reduced from 332 to 205.
COST: Buffalo/Erie County library services cost $28.64 per capita while comparably sized cities pay $43 and up per capita.
VALUE: If you borrow just 2 books and 10 movies a month rather than buy these items, you save $74 in a month and close to $900 in a year.
INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF LIBRARIES: In tough economic times, especially with high unemployment, people need libraries: --Circulation of library materials continues to trend at over 6 million items per year. --People depend so much on the libraries’ Internet connection that many people drive to closed libraries, sit in their cars and connect on laptops through the libraries’ wifi. --Bookstores and high speed Internet are not available in some of the small communities B&ECPL serves so these residents rely on the reading material and high-speed Internet that their local libraries provide. --Economically challenged households in Buffalo and across Erie County can’t support the purchase of books, CDs or DVDs, let alone have a computer with Internet access.
LIBRARY USE INCREASE: Computer usage in Buffalo & Erie County Libraries has always been high but it has increased 25% since 2008—the beginning of the economic downturn.
QUALITY OF LIFE: Libraries uniquely contribute to the community's cultural and economic quality of life by:
--Providing equal access to information resources
--Promoting literacy and education for children and adults
--Development of programs and services for enriching life skills.
ACTION: We demand Erie County Legislators reject County Executive Chris Collins' 2011 budget and fully fund the Library System to maintain services and staff.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 11, 2010
November 10, 2010
We are approaching the one thousand signature mark and need a final push to hit this target before we present our case. Post the link to your Facebook page immediately to bring in more people who rely on our library services. Text three friends right now and demand they add their names to this fight.
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2010
October 30, 2010
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to hit this mark before we present our case to the county executive. Post the link on Facebook right now to help us gain momentum. Email your county representative today to tell them that library hours must stay open.
6 Comments
Ridiculous to cut hours when people need these resources the most. My kids use the library every week.
we need our libraries open. simple as that.
this is short sighted. libraries are a pillar of the community and they are already underfunded as it is.
I go there for books for my grandkids all the time. Leave the libraries alone.
Total BS. Collins needs to find money somewhere else instead of taking it from the stuff that actually helps people.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The budget cuts have been reversed and our library hours are staying exactly where they need to be. This victory proves that we can protect our vital services when we pressure officials collectively. Keep checking the library website to ensure these restored hours remain fully funded throughout the coming year.
December 31, 2010
Final supporters
SITUATION: The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library faces a $6.8 million shortfall for 2011 if the budget proposed by County Executive Chris Collins stands. Library hours will be reduced from 332 to 205.
COST: Buffalo/Erie County library services cost $28.64 per capita while comparably sized cities pay $43 and up per capita.
VALUE: If you borrow just 2 books and 10 movies a month rather than buy these items, you save $74 in a month and close to $900 in a year.
INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF LIBRARIES: In tough economic times, especially with high unemployment, people need libraries: --Circulation of library materials continues to trend at over 6 million items per year. --People depend so much on the libraries’ Internet connection that many people drive to closed libraries, sit in their cars and connect on laptops through the libraries’ wifi. --Bookstores and high speed Internet are not available in some of the small communities B&ECPL serves so these residents rely on the reading material and high-speed Internet that their local libraries provide. --Economically challenged households in Buffalo and across Erie County can’t support the purchase of books, CDs or DVDs, let alone have a computer with Internet access.
LIBRARY USE INCREASE: Computer usage in Buffalo & Erie County Libraries has always been high but it has increased 25% since 2008—the beginning of the economic downturn.
QUALITY OF LIFE: Libraries uniquely contribute to the community's cultural and economic quality of life by:
--Providing equal access to information resources
--Promoting literacy and education for children and adults
--Development of programs and services for enriching life skills.
ACTION: We demand Erie County Legislators reject County Executive Chris Collins' 2011 budget and fully fund the Library System to maintain services and staff.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
November 11, 2010
November 10, 2010
We are approaching the one thousand signature mark and need a final push to hit this target before we present our case. Post the link to your Facebook page immediately to bring in more people who rely on our library services. Text three friends right now and demand they add their names to this fight.
Reached 100 supporters
November 2, 2010
October 30, 2010
We are approaching one hundred signatures and need to hit this mark before we present our case to the county executive. Post the link on Facebook right now to help us gain momentum. Email your county representative today to tell them that library hours must stay open.
6 Comments
The library is the only place in town i can get reliable internet. please dont cut this budget!!
Ridiculous to cut hours when people need these resources the most. My kids use the library every week.
we need our libraries open. simple as that.
this is short sighted. libraries are a pillar of the community and they are already underfunded as it is.
I go there for books for my grandkids all the time. Leave the libraries alone.
Total BS. Collins needs to find money somewhere else instead of taking it from the stuff that actually helps people.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
The library is the only place in town i can get reliable internet. please dont cut this budget!!