Monday, Nov. 24, 2008 | From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the rallying cry of “save our libraries” was heard at the seven libraries targeted to be shuttered. From Ocean Beach to University City with stops in between at University Heights, Allied Gardens, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Clairemont, and Mountain View, diverse groups of people, from small children to aging seniors, were telling their stories with signs and voices: “No branch closures! No staff layoffs! No reduction of hours!”
The mayor’s disastrous decision of closing seven libraries, with the compliance of a brand new head librarian, as if she had a chance of crossing her boss, was shouted down. Looking for solutions? Look to shuttering CCDC and SEDC for five years until the economy comes back. Librarians don’t have consultants and lawyers lined up. Librarians obey their superiors and know it’s bare bones time now. Where’s Redevelopment when it comes to cuts?
Mayor Sanders seems like a decent guy, but he’s listening to the wrong “suits” on this one. As Thomas Macauley wrote: “A politician must often talk and act before he has thought and read.”
U.C. Library Friends told the community that paint, tiles, carpeting had already been picked up, that U.C. library was scheduled for expansion soon.
Let the mayor revisit his decision as he did on Proposition 8 after talking to real people, especially his daughter. Real people from real families in real tight-knit communities have shared their real pain. What do you say, mayor?