To Restore Civil Society, Start With the Library

(September 18, 2018 - New York Times Opinion by  sociologist By Eric Klinenberg)


This crucial institution is being neglected just when we need it the most. 

Link to the New York Times Opinion Page

Philadelphia announces hiring of new library staff, expanded branch hours

(November 20, 2018 - by TyLisa C. Johnson) 


City officials say Philadelphia's public library system has a green light to hire dozens of new employees by year's end and extend service hours at a dozen branches, but advocates maintain that the system needs a more dedicated and robust funding stream to help it grow and thrive.


The library system will fill 62 vacant positions, officials said, enabling it to open 35 of the 54 neighborhood branches six days a week.

Link to the full Philadelphia Inquirer Story

Librarians to the rescue! A brief history of heroic bibliophiles

 Whether they’re saving books from censorship, or sheltering their community from danger, there’s nothing new about librarians choosing actions alongside words 

Click here to see The Guardian Story

Reading Aloud to Young Children Has Benefits for Behavior and Attention

It’s a truism in child development that the very young learn through relationships and back-and-forth interactions, including the interactions that occur when parents read to their children. 

A new study provides evidence of just how sustained an impact reading and playing with young children can have, shaping their social and emotional development in ways that go far beyond helping them learn language and early literacy skills. 

Why you might want to read to children

The 2018 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books

 We invite you to take a look at this year’s winners ... 

Find out more about the best 2018 children's books

12 Authors Write About the Libraries They Love

For most readers and writers — and book lovers in general — the library holds a special place of honor and respect. 

The New York Times recently asked several authors to write about their local public library or to share a memory of a library from their past.

Click the link below to read the New York Times story first published on October 5, 2018.

Find out more about libraries authors love

Join the Fund Our Libraries Movement to Fully Restore the Library Budget

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The Free Library of Philadelphia is critically underfunded

Neighborhood libraries shut down regularly due to inadequate staffing and more than half of the city's neighborhood libraries have lost Saturday service this fall


THE PROBLEM

  • In 2018, neighborhood libraries had to reduce regular hours 375 times due to staff shortage.
  • When libraries are closed unexpectedly, the community loses access to computers, books, public space and essential programs and services.

THE NUMBERS

  • If funding levels remain the same, libraries will operate next year with 17% less funds than in 2008.
  • $41,286,517 is the  amount of funding libraries received from the city this year.
  • $49,761,361 is the amount of funding libraries would receive next year if pre-recession levels were adjusted for inflation
  • Restoration is not enough - we need a fully funded library!




The Solution: Fully Funded Libraries!

This means enough resources to have every library open and fully staffed 6 or 7 days a week all year round, up-to-date materials and equipment, robust resources for programs, and buildings

that are safe, accessible and well maintained.


Call upon Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council to increase funding for the library in the upcoming budget that will be adopted for fiscal year 2020.


Call (215) 686-2181 

Email james.kenney@phila.gov


Get in touch at FreeLibraryFullFunding@gmail.com