http://www.publicagenda.org/files/pdf/Long_Overdue.pdf

http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/885960-264/mount_vernon_pl_ny_loses.html.csp

http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/032510.shtm

This is the page for Why Support The Library from New York Public Library.  I find it quite enlightening.  http://www.nypl.org/support/why-support-new-york-public-library

These are the main points for supporting the library.

• Keep our shelves filled with books and materials that are in high demand
• Provide free computer access and Wi-Fi service at all of our 89 locations
• Make possible daily classes that teach New Yorkers basic computer skills, job search techniques, and reading skills
• Purchase items to add to our world-renowned research collections to advance scholarship
• Preserve fragile manuscripts and rare books that have been placed in our care

Popularity is only one of the reasons that the library is open.  I see a several reasons why we are kept open; assignments for schools, books to teach reading to children, computers for internet access, and our job information center as having some of the most impact.  The five concepts that stand out are computers, literacy, jobs, scholarship, and new material.

Sometimes, you need to pay attention to who supports libraries in Westchester.

Senator Oppenheimer Fights for Westchester Libraries.
http://www.newrochelletalk.com/node/2126

http://www.mvinquirer.com

This basically says that the library needs to do a better job of raising funds.  If any of you are interested, there is a Friends of the Library and a Library Foundation both of which act to help the library raise funds and do publicity.  http://www.mvplfoundation.org/

This article shows that problems with libraries are not just happening at a local library.  They are happening all over the world.  It shows we need to rethink how libraries are used.

“We still need libraries in the digital age: Public libraries have a vital role bridging the digital divide and teaching people how to get reliable information from the internet”
by Ian Clark at The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/13/internet-age-still-need-libraries

There is something else happening here with the message that the internet can provide all we need.  The problem is that it comes at a price.  Netflix is not free, it is a lending model for videos where people can send the videos back by mail.  Another service like Netflix, except for books is Bookswim which sends 3 books a month in the mail for $23.95 which get sent back in packages sent in the mail, much like Netflix.  http://netted.net/2010/07/15/shelf-space/?id=Today#toggled  The emerging models on the internet cost money, in most cases more than a library does.  In an increasingly competitive business world, many publishing companies see libraries as indirect competitors for their revenue.

I have been asked to keep this blog going as a source of documents about the Mount Vernon Public Library by my union and several other people in the community. 

Hopefully, this blog will focus on advocacy and funding so this does not happen again.

An article from the Journal News about the Mount Vernon Public Library coming back to work. http://www.lohud.com/article/20100714/NEWS02/7140314/Mount-Vernon-Public-Library-rehires-laid-off-staff

Reduction In Force At The Mount Vernon Public Library

Lest people think I am against libraries, I am not.  There has been a tremendous amount of negative attacks on libraries recently.  I am glad that the Westchester Journal News had this article by a Westchester local,  Marilyn Johnson, Library cuts hurt information access vital to democracy.  http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20107110360 

On a national level, the existence of libraries has been attacked.  This is  a response to WFLD a Fox 5 Channel news station in Chicago where it was asked whether libraries are necessary.  http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/library-taxes-closed-commissioner-reaction-letter-mary-dempsey-20100702

Mount Vernon is not the only library which has been affected by cuts.  There have been cuts throughout Westchester.  http://chappaqua.patch.com/articles/librarians-to-albany-stop-shelving-our-funds-3

This is the News 12 Coverage of the protest against the layoffs in front of city hall in Mount Vernon New York this last Wednesday by the union.  It includes a video of some of the library staff and the library.

News 12 Article on Layoffs
http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=255625&position=1&news_type=news 

This is the Westchster Journal News article on the reduction force from the Lohud site.

Mount Vernon Public Library Lays Off Half Of Its Staff
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20107030328 

This is an article that was written in June before the reduction in force from the Westchester Journal News about the Mount Vernon Public Libraries and threats of layoffs.  http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/lohud/access/2049640931.html?FMT=ABS&date=Jun+04%2C+2010 

At least part of our financial difficulties comes from acrimony between the union and management which is running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Journal News Article about $150,000 in legal fees
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/lohud/access/1691098721.html?FMT=ABS&date=Jan+27%2C+2009
We were facing a similar shortfall in 2005.  This year in June 2010,  it is $400,000 in June.  In 2005, it was $500,000.

2005 Shortfall of $500,000
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/25/nyregion/institutions-mount-vernon-quibbles-while-library-crumbles.html?scp=8&sq=mount%20vernon%20public%20library&st=cse 

Roof Repaired after Asbestos Scare

http://www.news12.com/archive/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=164095&position=1&news_type=news

There are more issues in the background which affect the whole process.  We are the central library of Westchester County.  The building has been around for over 100 years.

100th Year of Mount Vernon Library
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/12/nyregion/mt-vernon-library-marks-its-100th-year.html?scp=7&sq=

Because we are the central library we get funds from the county to maintain special collections and provide additional services to the people of Westcehster County.  There has been some disputes about this from other libraries.

Dispute Over Budget Allocation as a Central Library
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/25/nyregion/institutions-mount-vernon-quibbles-while-library-crumbles.html?scp=8&sq=mount%20vernon%20public%20library&st=cse 

There are other issues surrounding the financing of the library that affect how the library is handing its finances.  We have had a change in how we are to be financed in the near future.  The Board of Regents has designated the Mount Vernon Public Library as a School District Library.

State Library Link that Shows Us Listed As A School District Library http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/publibs/3westh.htm 

In 2003, New Rochelle was designated as a school district library.  Its budget was put up for vote and the budget was voted down twice.  It was passed a third time.  I am hoping a similar situation does not happen with the Mount Vernon Public Library.

New Rochelle Vote For School District Library

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/04/nyregion/sos-from-the-stacks.html?scp=21&sq=new%20rochelle%20public%20library&st=cse

This is a description of the process from the New York State Library. State Library Coverage of New Rochelle School District Library Vote

http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/pldtools/guide/h-edadvr.htm 

This is a description of how I experienced the reduction in force sent to The New York Librarians Meetup.

http://nylibrariansmeetup.blogspot.com/2010/07/reduction-in-force-at-mount-vernon.html 

It is also on the national Save Libraries site.   http://savelibraries.org/2010/07/reduction-in-force-at-the-mount-vernon-public-library-layoffs-and-demotions/

This is a summary of some of the information freely available to you as citizens over the internet.   There is a certain risk for me to write this, but I feel it is necessary.  Hopefully people will look at it and think how can things be done differently in a better more positive way.