Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG » library

Library Power

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:29:58 +0000

Librarians Cannot Live On Love Alone

What’s so wonderful about a public library? A library houses books, CDs and DVDs for you to borrow, reference books and magazines for you to read on the premise, computers for you to use, Internet for you to access; it offers quiet space and specialists who can help you find the information you need. I love libraries.

Did you know that many of our public libraries are in trouble? Because librarians and other library staff members are employees of their city, they cannot even tell patrons when their libraries are negatively impacted or when their jobs are in jeopardy. However, we, the patrons, have the power to advocate on their behalf. We can fuel library power.

One example: In Oakland, CA, all library branches (except for the main branch) will be open only 5 days a week. Their material budget has been cut. Librarians are forced to take furlough days. The adult literacy program Second Start is in jeopardy. Come to a Save-the-Libraries meeting and take an active role. http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

Library advocates are nice people. We have mighty voices to ask questions that city council members need to answer.

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com

Your Local Library is Day-Home to Many

admin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:02:28 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/savethelibraries Click on “Chandra’s Story”

Beloved libraries are homes and community centers for kids, teens, seniors, job-seekers, you and me–anyone who needs a place to access books, resources, the Internet, and, especially librarians’ expertise.
Visit: http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

We can all help and have fun at the same time.

In Oakland, CA?

1. Attend any portion of the June 30, 2009 meeting, 5:00pm–late evening

Oakland City Council Meeting
Check http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com for change in meeting time

City Council Chambers at Oakland City Hall
1 Frank H Ogawa Plaza
1 City Hall Plaza (the building with clock tower)
Oakland, CA 94612

2. Tell friends about: http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

3. Attend the next Save-the-Library advocacy meeting:

6:00 to 8:00 PM, Oakland Main Library-West Auditorium. 125 14th Street, Oakland, CA

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Libraries Need Our Mighty Voices

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:43:01 +0000

Please act now. June 2009

Who Needs Our Mighty Voices? Library patrons everywhere:

Kids who go to these safe places to read and do homework
Seniors who make communities solid
Unemployed adults using resources and the Internet for job-search

Visit: http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Example: In Oakland, CA

Elmhurst, Lakeview, Temescal, Golden Gate, Martin Luther King and Melrose branches would only open 2 or 3 days per week!

77.2% of Alameda County voters had voted YES to Measure Q to increase library hours and services, not cut them.

Time sensitive. City of Oakland is scheduled to adopt the two-year budget June 30, impacting 6 libraries.

Council members working hard to do “the right thing” by all Oakland residents. Library advocates say “Thank you!”

HOW CAN WE HELP ?

1. Attend the Library Advocacy meeting on Thursday, June 25th, 6:00PM to 8:00PM, Oakland Main Library West Auditorium (125 14th Street, Oakland)

2. Sign the on-line petition on http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

3. Email or call the mayor and council members and tell them to keep all Oakland libraries open at least 5 or 6 days a week. Their names, phone numbers and email addresses listed below.

4. Bring friends and neighbors to public meetings about the proposed budget and tell City of Oakland Council Members in person. Next meeting Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Check http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com for meeting dates/times, how to sign up to speak, and print a sign: Save the Libraries.

City Council Chambers at Oakland City Hall
1 Frank H Ogawa Plaza
1 City Hall Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612

Mayor Ron Dellums (510)238-3141 officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com
Larry Reid (510) 238-7007 lreid@oaklandnet.com
Nancy Nadel (510) 238-7003 nnadel@oaklandnet.com
Jean Quan (510) 238-7004 jquan@oaklandnet.com
Ignacio De La Fuente (510) 238-7005 idelafuente@oaklandnet.com
Desley Brooks (510) 238-7006 dbrooks@oaklandnet.com
Jane Brunner (510) 238-7001 jbrunner@oaklandnet.com
Patricia Kernighan (510) 238-7002 pkernighan@oaklandnet.com
Rebecca Kaplan (510) 238-7008 atlarge@oaklandnet.com
Director of Library Services Carmen Martinez (510) 238-3141 cmartinez@oaklandnet.com
Karen Boyd, PR Contact (510) 449-4401 KBoyd@oaklandnet.com

Tell your neighbors, friends, co-workers, colleagues about http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Tell your favorite television, radio, newspaper, on-line celebrities about http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/

Library Advocates Patrick Camacho, Lakshmi Kerner, Olga Malyj, and author Teresa LeYung Ryan

Background:

77.2% of Alameda County voters had voted YES to Measure Q in 2004. http://www.smartvoter.org/2004/03/02/ca/alm/meas/Q/

Let’s remind our mayor and council members that Measure Q was passed to:
(1) maintain and expand neighborhood branch library services, days, and hours; (2) maintain after school homework and tutoring programs; (3) maintain literacy and children’s programs; (4) increase librarian services to schools; (5) increase computer and technology access and (6) acquire new books and materials.

Please keep all Oakland libraries open 5 or 6 days a week!

http://savethelibraries.spaces.live.com/