In Oakland budget scenario that could evisc
erate the city's library system.
Oakland, a mayor who grew up in a Chinese immigrant household where she cultivated an appreciation for the value of public libraries—and who has been a champion of libraries ever since—has been driven by financial exigency to propose a budget scenario that could eviscerate the city's library system.
erate the city's library system.Oakland, a mayor who grew up in a Chinese immigrant household where she cultivated an appreciation for the value of public libraries—and who has been a champion of libraries ever since—has been driven by financial exigency to propose a budget scenario that could eviscerate the city's library system.
"Dramatic and daunting" scenario
In the first of three biennial budget scenarios proposed for FY12-13 by Mayor Jean Quan to the City Council, the system would not only be reduced from 18 to four branches but also would shutter a valuable archive and museum of African American East Bay history that is counted among the library's branches. The four remaining branches would be open three days a week, and 159 of the library's 217 FTEs would be cut.
"We don't have any choice. It's not something I want to do, but when you have to cut another $58 million after already cutting $170 million over the last few years there are not a lot of choices left,"