Authorizing the Committee on Parks Recreation and Culutral Affairs to hold hearings on the impact of state funding cuts on the operation of the Free Library.

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia operates a world-class, citywide system of free libraries that afford residents access to a comprehensive collection of recorded knowledge, ideas, artistic expression and information; and

WHEREAS, This system brings books, computer resources, cultural programming to citizens young and old thereby enriching their lives and the quality of life in our communities; and

WHEREAS, This fiscal year residents will make more than 6.7 million visits to the Library system and log more than 56 million hits on the Library’s web site; and

WHEREAS, The Free Library system is a critical component of this City’s support system for children through its increasing collaboration with the School District, its after school programming and availability of online computer resources, including an online homework help program; and

WHEREAS, In many neighborhoods, the free library is the hub of the community in the evening and on weekends, as a result of its creative programming. For example, the Library is collaborating with the Campaign for Working Families to increase the number of eligible Philadelphians who apply for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit offering residents the opportunity to realize between $1,000 and $4,000 in income per family; and

WHEREAS, despite the critical role of the Library to City residents, its funding and its ability to continue to support its collection and programming is threatened by the $4.7 million cut for libraries in the state’s FY 04 budget; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the elimination in state funding, the City is faced with either substantial reduction in Library hours or actually closing branch libraries; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs is authorized to hold hearings on the impact of state funding cuts on the operation of the Free Library.

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