San Diego City Public Libraries - Decreasing Hours
The mayor of San Diego is proposing a cut to the number of days and hours that libraries are open as part of getting the city budget under control.
The inability to read, analyze the information we have read, and form a logical conclusion are some of the reasons the mayor was able to get elected. Now he wants to increase the numbers of ignorant folk running around the city.
Several years ago, some city libraries became known as hot spots. Starbucks coffee wagons were outside, and sometimes inside too. The library on a week night or weekend afternoon was a place to meet others, research, use the computer, read a story to your children, see an art exhibit. A community center.
What can an artist do?
Let Jerry Sanders know that our libraries are a valuable community resource and should be open more days and more hours not less. (See Resources below)
Have you considered holding a workshop at your community library and donating some or all of the proceeds to the library?
Would you be willing to pay a fee to have an exhibit at a library?
Can you volunteer a few hours a day?
Can you make a cash donation?
The libraries I visit are filled with people. There is always a wait to use the computer. San Diego is a city with many immigrants. It is wonderful to see the mix of folks from all over the world who use our libraries. Learning the language, the culture, the traditions, meeting neighbors. Somali, Mexican, Ethiopian, Viet Namese, Cambodian, Nicaraguan, Iranian, Israeli, and of course, Americans.
While all of the above reasons are great ones for keeping the libraries open (I say 7 days a week, 24 hours a day), there are two other extremely important reasons.
The heat in San Diego can be brutal. We think of the ocean and the wonderful breezes that come off the ocean, when we picture San Diego. But the truth of the matter is that most of San Diego's citizens don't live on the ocean front. During the summer temperatures in the desert, inner city neighborhoods and valley areas can rise to over 100 degrees. Older people, folks without air conditioning, the disabled, and homeless use the library as a cool refuge.
The second reason is the low to moderate income children who do not have computers in their homes. Having access to a library computer may mean the difference between success and failure for these kids.
What do you think? Are libraries an important part of your community?
Resources:
Friends of the San Diego Public Library
Contact Jerry Sanders:
City Administration Building
202 C St., 11th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 236-6330
Fax: (619) 236-7228
Email the Office of the Mayor:
JerrySanders@sandiego.gov
Contact your City Council Member
http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/
(Almost all email addresses for San Diego City employees follow the format of firstnamelastname@sandiego.gov)
San Diego City Public Library Branches, Locations and Hours
The inability to read, analyze the information we have read, and form a logical conclusion are some of the reasons the mayor was able to get elected. Now he wants to increase the numbers of ignorant folk running around the city.
Several years ago, some city libraries became known as hot spots. Starbucks coffee wagons were outside, and sometimes inside too. The library on a week night or weekend afternoon was a place to meet others, research, use the computer, read a story to your children, see an art exhibit. A community center.
What can an artist do?
Let Jerry Sanders know that our libraries are a valuable community resource and should be open more days and more hours not less. (See Resources below)
Have you considered holding a workshop at your community library and donating some or all of the proceeds to the library?
Would you be willing to pay a fee to have an exhibit at a library?
Can you volunteer a few hours a day?
Can you make a cash donation?
The libraries I visit are filled with people. There is always a wait to use the computer. San Diego is a city with many immigrants. It is wonderful to see the mix of folks from all over the world who use our libraries. Learning the language, the culture, the traditions, meeting neighbors. Somali, Mexican, Ethiopian, Viet Namese, Cambodian, Nicaraguan, Iranian, Israeli, and of course, Americans.
While all of the above reasons are great ones for keeping the libraries open (I say 7 days a week, 24 hours a day), there are two other extremely important reasons.
The heat in San Diego can be brutal. We think of the ocean and the wonderful breezes that come off the ocean, when we picture San Diego. But the truth of the matter is that most of San Diego's citizens don't live on the ocean front. During the summer temperatures in the desert, inner city neighborhoods and valley areas can rise to over 100 degrees. Older people, folks without air conditioning, the disabled, and homeless use the library as a cool refuge.
The second reason is the low to moderate income children who do not have computers in their homes. Having access to a library computer may mean the difference between success and failure for these kids.
What do you think? Are libraries an important part of your community?
Resources:
Friends of the San Diego Public Library
Contact Jerry Sanders:
City Administration Building
202 C St., 11th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 236-6330
Fax: (619) 236-7228
Email the Office of the Mayor:
JerrySanders@sandiego.gov
Contact your City Council Member
http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/
(Almost all email addresses for San Diego City employees follow the format of firstnamelastname@sandiego.gov)
San Diego City Public Library Branches, Locations and Hours
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Yasmin