Jul 4, 2008 9:22 am US/Pacific
San Jose Libraries Close Doors On Sundays
SAN JOSE (CBS 5 / KCBS) ―
Beginning this weekend, San Jose will be closing the doors to several of its branch libraries on Sundays in an effort to save the city an estimated $350,000.
Five branch libraries will be closed as the city tries to reduce a $22 million dollar budget deficit.
Unfortunately, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed does not see the gap narrowing in the near future, and the libraries will most likely remain closed.
"I'm always concerned when we have to restrict our library hours," said Reed, "but we've greatly expanded our library system over the last few years. We're building new libraries, so we're stretching our staff thinner and thinner. But of course we want to the kids to be busy and do things. So we actually are putting more money into our gang-prevention program and targeting at-risk kids."
According to the Mercury News, the cuts come as the city has worked to expand its library system.
In 2000, voters passed a $212 million dollar bond measure to pay for 20 new branch libraries, including the recently opened $9.8 million dollar Joyce Ellington Branch Library.
The bond money, however, only provided enough funds for construction, leaving limited funds to staff the facilities.
Remaining libraries that will keep their doors open on Sundays include Tully Community Branch Library and the city's downtown Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library.
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