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Branch Closings Averted in Oakland—AgainThe budget plan issued by Oakland, California, Mayor Jerry Brown May 2 failed to include an earlier proposal to close seven of the city’s 15 library branches, although it eliminates part-time library staff and reduces hours at four branches from six days a week to five.“We’re very grateful that the mayor and city manager and city council listened to us and kept the branches intact,” Victoria Kelly, a coordinator of Save Oakland Libraries, said in the May 3 San Francisco Chronicle. “However, we will see four branches lose hours. . . . That is significant especially because tens of thousands of people see library services as basic.” Under Brown’s plan to close the city’s $46.5-million budget gap, which must be approved by the city council, as many as 115 city employees may be laid off and all city buildings, including libraries, would be shut one day a month. The idea of closing library branches had been rejected by the city council in February, but City Manager Robert Bobb put it back on the table last month. Posted May 12, 2003. |
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