Jersey City Free Public Library Funding Update

Last round of budget cuts:

Laid off 36 part-time staff and security guards

Closed two branches.

Main branch on Jersey Avenue reduced its extended night hours from five days to two.

New round of budget cuts:

The three Neighborhood Branches will be open three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday.

The Branch Libraries will be closed on rotating Saturdays.

There are two furlough days a month for entire library system.

"They don't have computers, they can't afford computers." "They come in, they use the computers, they use the Internet. They're searching for jobs."

Priscilla Gardner, Library Director (Source: Jersey Journal, August 9, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/jerseycity/index.ssf?/base/news-10/12813...)

Jersey City Free Public Library: By the Numbers

2008

Items Checked Out: 180,000

2009

Items Checked Out: 209,000

2010

Library Funding: $7.7 million

Items Checked Out: 218,000 (Through August)

Registered Library Users: 189,357

Municipal Funding Per Person for Library Service in Jersey City: $31.75

2011

Projected Library Funding: $6 million

Projected Municipal Funding Per Person for Library Service in Jersey City: $24.74

"I just ask that we find other means of addressing the budget and not at the cost of services the library provides." "It is vital to the community."

Viola Richardson, Ward F Councilwoman (Source: Jersey Journal, August 26, 2010, http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/jerseycity/index.ssf?/base/news-10/12828...)

Jersey City Free Public Library Call to Action

Jersey City Free Public Library Facebook Page

Follow the Jersey City Free Public Library on Twitter

Jersey City Free Public Library Foundation

News Coverage of the Crisis


Jersey City library patrons, staff ask city to save library budget from cuts
Libraries Face Grim Choices
Jersey City library faces branch closings, layoffs
Jersey City library cutting back hours, few Saturdays at branches
Jersey City library announces three branches will close

Save My NJ Library