As a former (retired) City Librarian, I urge the Committee not to make cuts to the Milwaukee Public Library’s budget. Now more than ever, this community needs all the support the library and its staff can provide to our children, teens and adults. Curtailing hours and locations will have an adverse impact on access to programming, computers, WiFi, books and so many other critical resources currently offered.
After dedicating 37 years working with staff and patrons of the Milwaukee Public Library, I’m fully aware of the transformative effect our libraries have on the lives of our citizens—particularly our children. Please don’t let them down.
For many years, management and the politicians are always wondering "Why does no one want to work for the City?" and I'll tell you why - the pay rate general city workers, /the workers that make sure the roads are okay to drive on, the ones that make sure there is clean drinking water, operate the libraries, and much more/, is not a living wage and the cost of living keeps going up and up.
Because of the reckless allocation of our City's budget has gone to the police for so many years, the City is facing insolvency. Do you want to see Milwaukee go into insolvency because the mayor and the Common Council continuously give the police nearly half the budget? Or do you want Milwaukee to be a prosperous place to live and raise a family?
The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and AFSCME demand the following:
- No layoffs for general city employees
- Give general city employees the raises they were promised
- Reinvest money from MPD to fund public sector jobs, culture, recreation, and mental health services
On a personal note, I stand in solidarity with Milwaukee Public Libraries and the workers running them
I am writing to urge you to consider more monetary support of the Milwaukee Public Library. I appreciate all the challenges of a budget but respectfully disagree that the Milwaukee Public Library should face the budgetary cuts you are recommending. The library has always been an important and vital part of the Milwaukee community, and no time more than that throughout the pandemic. The library serves as a place to check out books, but also a place to obtain internet access, learn, and come together as a community. It is a vital resource for so many in the community and the effects of reduced hours, services will be detrimental to the Milwaukee community.
Very sincerely, Meghan Cunningham, Friend of the Milwaukee Public Library
I am writing to you today in support of Milwaukee Public Library.
At a time when the demand for library services is increasing as a result of the growing need for educational programming, and larger numbers of residents are flocking to utilize critical library resources, Milwaukee Public Library faces the prospect of staggering reductions in the city’s proposed budget. The $1.9 million in cuts to an already depressed library budget will result in reduced hours, limited services, and branch closures.
Please don’t let that happen.
As a longtime supporter on user of the Milwaukee Public Library, I am asking you to restore funding for this treasured institution. Our neighborhoods depend on the amazing staff serving Central Library and 12 branches that provide education and enrichment in our lives. Free access to technology, workforce development, early literacy skill-building, summer reading, makerspaces, teen connected learning, senior citizen programming, and much, much more is taking place each and every day at Milwaukee Public Library. It would be a tragedy to take these much-needed services and safe spaces away from the citizens – especially those who rely on them the most.
A library is a vital part of any community. It becomes a hub for anyone and everyone to join for various, yet similar purposes to enhance overall well-being. Proposing budget cuts would be like removing a major road in the city or even an artery to the heart. At a time when we should be allocating more resources to the library, the idea of making budget cuts is deeply disturbing. What other community establishment is going to provide the services and availability the library does
Please, do not cut Milwaukee Public Library funding. It is penny-wise and pound-foolish. In addition to serving their traditional function of supplying media at no cost to the public, libraries have evolved into community centers that especially benefit the young and the disadvantaged. Demand for its services is only increasing, and budget cuts which will entail the curtailment of hours and/or branch closures is surely heading in the wrong direction. Yours are difficult decisions, but I hope you will reconsider, and at least mitigate, if not remove, the proposed budget cuts for this essential government service.
The Milwaukee Public Library is a fundamental resource in our community. Milwaukee is recognized as one of the most segregated cities in the United States; yet, the library works tirelessly to provide programs to bridge the gap amongst race, socioeconomic status, and age. Their efforts support literacy, technology education, and small business support, just to name a few. All things mentioned are necessary for a successful and thriving city. Libraries provide a free, safe place for adults, children, and teens. The very fact the cuts are considered is appalling and undervalues their efforts from the government perspective. Yea, resources are limited, and there must be cuts, but how can you consider cutting the single most effective asset to the community?
Dear Finance & Personnel Committee Members, I too am writing to ask you to reconsider the budget cuts currently proposed for the Milwaukee Public Library. I urge you to visit our libraries to get a real sense of the range of programs and resources that are available. Don't relegate your decision to a spreadsheet. I am aware of the fiscal challenges that we face as a city. I am a proud resident of the south side and a board member of the Friends of Milwaukee Public Library. The Library is no longer just a place you borrow a book, but rather somewhere where you can get internet access by borrowing a hotspot, get help starting a business, learn to code, find a new job, connect with your community and yes, learn how to read. The shifts that the Library made during the pandemic illustrate it's progressiveness. It has also made improvements to it's facilities from an environmental perspective, demonstrating it's commitment to being good stewards of not only the public funds it receives, but also of the private funds it receives. Again, please reconsider the cuts and help protect the momentum that the Library has built so they can continue to serve all that need of them. Thank you.
I am writing to you today in support of Milwaukee Public Library.
Milwaukee Public Library faces the prospect of staggering reductions in the city’s proposed budget. The $1.9 million in cuts to an already depressed library budget will result in reduced hours, limited services, and branch closures. It is unfathomable to me that when some of the biggest issues facing our city are crime and education, that we would cut funding to an institution that addresses both of those problems in a fundamental way. This demonstrates a lack of appropriate priorities by city leadership.
As a longtime supporter and user of the Milwaukee Public Library, I implore you to restore full funding. Free access to technology, workforce development, early literacy skill-building, summer reading, makerspaces, teen connected learning, senior citizen programming, and more is taking place each and every day at Milwaukee Public Library. It would be a tragedy to take these much-needed services and safe spaces away from the citizens – especially those who rely on them the most. The results of this ill-advised decision will be felt the most by people who have the least.
I feel for you decision makers. Budget cuts are never easy. But please, please reconsider the proposed cuts to the library services.The library is the heart of the community, providing services and programs that support individuals and bring neighbors together. Cutting hours will cut off a rich resource that the community relies on.
Libraries are an essential service. Its reputation as a book- and research-centered institution, where silence was golden, has evolved -- here in Milwaukee and in communities across the country -- to a valuable resource with wide-ranging programs and services. Today, voices are heard in libraries and they're saying: "Please keep us funded!!"
When I moved to Milwaukee two years ago, I got a library card before a driver's license. That's how important the library is to me. Please reconsider the proposed budget cuts to library services. Your neighbors thank you.
At a time when the demand for library services is increasing as a result of the growing need for educational programming, and larger numbers of residents are flocking to utilize critical library resources, Milwaukee Public Library faces the prospect of staggering reductions in the city’s proposed budget. The $1.9 million in cuts to an already depressed library budget will result in reduced hours, limited services, and branch closures.
Please don’t let that happen.
As a longtime supporter of the Milwaukee Public Library, I am asking you to restore funding for this treasured institution. Our neighborhoods depend on the amazing staff serving Central Library and 12 branches that provide education and enrichment in our lives. Free access to technology, workforce development, early literacy skill-building, summer reading, makerspaces, teen connected learning, senior citizen programming, and much, much more is taking place each and every day at Milwaukee Public Library. It would be a tragedy to take these much-needed services and safe spaces away from the citizens – especially those who rely on them the most.
Dear City of Milwaukee Finance & Personnel Committee,
While I appreciate we must balance many priorities within the Milwaukee City Budget, on behalf of Friends of Milwaukee Public Library, I urge the City to reconsider planned cuts to the Library branch services. The current plan, which calls for drastic reductions to library hours of operations, community programming and available branch services is a step backwards for our community. Libraries provide an essential service to our neighborhoods and are a key link in helping those still recovering from pandemic impacts of missed school, job elimination or long term health consequences. Thank you for reconsidering.
Sincerely,
Shannon Sweek
Friends of Milwaukee Public Library Board President
As a former (retired) City Librarian, I urge the Committee not to make cuts to the Milwaukee Public Library’s budget. Now more than ever, this community needs all the support the library and its staff can provide to our children, teens and adults. Curtailing hours and locations will have an adverse impact on access to programming, computers, WiFi, books and so many other critical resources currently offered.
After dedicating 37 years working with staff and patrons of the Milwaukee Public Library, I’m fully aware of the transformative effect our libraries have on the lives of our citizens—particularly our children. Please don’t let them down.
Kate Huston Raab
Retired City Librarian
I am writing in opposition to the mayor's budget.
For many years, management and the politicians are always wondering "Why does no one want to work for the City?" and I'll tell you why - the pay rate general city workers, /the workers that make sure the roads are okay to drive on, the ones that make sure there is clean drinking water, operate the libraries, and much more/, is not a living wage and the cost of living keeps going up and up.
Because of the reckless allocation of our City's budget has gone to the police for so many years, the City is facing insolvency. Do you want to see Milwaukee go into insolvency because the mayor and the Common Council continuously give the police nearly half the budget? Or do you want Milwaukee to be a prosperous place to live and raise a family?
The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and AFSCME demand the following:
- No layoffs for general city employees
- Give general city employees the raises they were promised
- Reinvest money from MPD to fund public sector jobs, culture, recreation, and mental health services
On a personal note, I stand in solidarity with Milwaukee Public Libraries and the workers running them
I am writing to urge you to consider more monetary support of the Milwaukee Public Library. I appreciate all the challenges of a budget but respectfully disagree that the Milwaukee Public Library should face the budgetary cuts you are recommending. The library has always been an important and vital part of the Milwaukee community, and no time more than that throughout the pandemic. The library serves as a place to check out books, but also a place to obtain internet access, learn, and come together as a community. It is a vital resource for so many in the community and the effects of reduced hours, services will be detrimental to the Milwaukee community.
Very sincerely, Meghan Cunningham, Friend of the Milwaukee Public Library
I am writing to you today in support of Milwaukee Public Library.
At a time when the demand for library services is increasing as a result of the growing need for educational programming, and larger numbers of residents are flocking to utilize critical library resources, Milwaukee Public Library faces the prospect of staggering reductions in the city’s proposed budget. The $1.9 million in cuts to an already depressed library budget will result in reduced hours, limited services, and branch closures.
Please don’t let that happen.
As a longtime supporter on user of the Milwaukee Public Library, I am asking you to restore funding for this treasured institution. Our neighborhoods depend on the amazing staff serving Central Library and 12 branches that provide education and enrichment in our lives. Free access to technology, workforce development, early literacy skill-building, summer reading, makerspaces, teen connected learning, senior citizen programming, and much, much more is taking place each and every day at Milwaukee Public Library. It would be a tragedy to take these much-needed services and safe spaces away from the citizens – especially those who rely on them the most.
A library is a vital part of any community. It becomes a hub for anyone and everyone to join for various, yet similar purposes to enhance overall well-being. Proposing budget cuts would be like removing a major road in the city or even an artery to the heart. At a time when we should be allocating more resources to the library, the idea of making budget cuts is deeply disturbing. What other community establishment is going to provide the services and availability the library does
Please, do not cut Milwaukee Public Library funding. It is penny-wise and pound-foolish. In addition to serving their traditional function of supplying media at no cost to the public, libraries have evolved into community centers that especially benefit the young and the disadvantaged. Demand for its services is only increasing, and budget cuts which will entail the curtailment of hours and/or branch closures is surely heading in the wrong direction. Yours are difficult decisions, but I hope you will reconsider, and at least mitigate, if not remove, the proposed budget cuts for this essential government service.
The Milwaukee Public Library is a fundamental resource in our community. Milwaukee is recognized as one of the most segregated cities in the United States; yet, the library works tirelessly to provide programs to bridge the gap amongst race, socioeconomic status, and age. Their efforts support literacy, technology education, and small business support, just to name a few. All things mentioned are necessary for a successful and thriving city. Libraries provide a free, safe place for adults, children, and teens. The very fact the cuts are considered is appalling and undervalues their efforts from the government perspective. Yea, resources are limited, and there must be cuts, but how can you consider cutting the single most effective asset to the community?
Dear Finance & Personnel Committee Members, I too am writing to ask you to reconsider the budget cuts currently proposed for the Milwaukee Public Library. I urge you to visit our libraries to get a real sense of the range of programs and resources that are available. Don't relegate your decision to a spreadsheet. I am aware of the fiscal challenges that we face as a city. I am a proud resident of the south side and a board member of the Friends of Milwaukee Public Library. The Library is no longer just a place you borrow a book, but rather somewhere where you can get internet access by borrowing a hotspot, get help starting a business, learn to code, find a new job, connect with your community and yes, learn how to read. The shifts that the Library made during the pandemic illustrate it's progressiveness. It has also made improvements to it's facilities from an environmental perspective, demonstrating it's commitment to being good stewards of not only the public funds it receives, but also of the private funds it receives. Again, please reconsider the cuts and help protect the momentum that the Library has built so they can continue to serve all that need of them. Thank you.
I am writing to you today in support of Milwaukee Public Library.
Milwaukee Public Library faces the prospect of staggering reductions in the city’s proposed budget. The $1.9 million in cuts to an already depressed library budget will result in reduced hours, limited services, and branch closures. It is unfathomable to me that when some of the biggest issues facing our city are crime and education, that we would cut funding to an institution that addresses both of those problems in a fundamental way. This demonstrates a lack of appropriate priorities by city leadership.
As a longtime supporter and user of the Milwaukee Public Library, I implore you to restore full funding. Free access to technology, workforce development, early literacy skill-building, summer reading, makerspaces, teen connected learning, senior citizen programming, and more is taking place each and every day at Milwaukee Public Library. It would be a tragedy to take these much-needed services and safe spaces away from the citizens – especially those who rely on them the most. The results of this ill-advised decision will be felt the most by people who have the least.
I feel for you decision makers. Budget cuts are never easy. But please, please reconsider the proposed cuts to the library services.The library is the heart of the community, providing services and programs that support individuals and bring neighbors together. Cutting hours will cut off a rich resource that the community relies on.
Libraries are an essential service. Its reputation as a book- and research-centered institution, where silence was golden, has evolved -- here in Milwaukee and in communities across the country -- to a valuable resource with wide-ranging programs and services. Today, voices are heard in libraries and they're saying: "Please keep us funded!!"
When I moved to Milwaukee two years ago, I got a library card before a driver's license. That's how important the library is to me. Please reconsider the proposed budget cuts to library services. Your neighbors thank you.
At a time when the demand for library services is increasing as a result of the growing need for educational programming, and larger numbers of residents are flocking to utilize critical library resources, Milwaukee Public Library faces the prospect of staggering reductions in the city’s proposed budget. The $1.9 million in cuts to an already depressed library budget will result in reduced hours, limited services, and branch closures.
Please don’t let that happen.
As a longtime supporter of the Milwaukee Public Library, I am asking you to restore funding for this treasured institution. Our neighborhoods depend on the amazing staff serving Central Library and 12 branches that provide education and enrichment in our lives. Free access to technology, workforce development, early literacy skill-building, summer reading, makerspaces, teen connected learning, senior citizen programming, and much, much more is taking place each and every day at Milwaukee Public Library. It would be a tragedy to take these much-needed services and safe spaces away from the citizens – especially those who rely on them the most.
Dear City of Milwaukee Finance & Personnel Committee,
While I appreciate we must balance many priorities within the Milwaukee City Budget, on behalf of Friends of Milwaukee Public Library, I urge the City to reconsider planned cuts to the Library branch services. The current plan, which calls for drastic reductions to library hours of operations, community programming and available branch services is a step backwards for our community. Libraries provide an essential service to our neighborhoods and are a key link in helping those still recovering from pandemic impacts of missed school, job elimination or long term health consequences. Thank you for reconsidering.
Sincerely,
Shannon Sweek
Friends of Milwaukee Public Library Board President