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Community Corner

Save the Red Bank Library!

Concerned Residents to Address Board on Library Cuts

RED BANK, MARCH 27, 6:30 pm Red Bank Public Library
84 West Front Street 

After a standing room-only crowd filled Red Bank's council chambers earlier this month to decry layoffs at the public library, concerned residents are hoping that there will be an even stronger community presence at this Thursday's meeting of the library's Board of Directors, 6:30 pm at the library, 84 West Front Street.

"The library belongs to all of us," said library volunteer Marcia Horn.  "It's vital that we have its wonderful services for our children, for people who love cultural programs, for people who wanto to learn English, and for all the reasons that libraries were created in the first place."  

There was a whole year of celebration of the [library founder] Eisner family's contribution to Red Bank," Horn, who worked on the library's 75th anniversary commemoration in 2012, points out.  "What's happening now is undermining their dream. It's so precious to all of us- it's a public library, so the public should have a say."

Citing budget constraints, the library board issued lay-off notices to the children's librarian, the local history librarian and a third staff member, along with three part-timers on March 12 and 13.  Library hours have been cut from 45 to 20 per week.  Remaining staff h ave raised strong concerns about the viability of a library run by four people. 

Horn encourages all concerned to attend the meeting of the library's board of directors tomorrow night.  She has questions about the board's conduct.  
 
"[The board] is acting in a way that's counter to the library's best interest, as far as I can tell.  That the public knew so little about the situation is inexcusable. We have to open that up."  

Below is the text of a flyer announcing the board meeting tomorrow:
Save the Red Bank Public Library!

Early this month came a sudden decision 
to cut library services drastically. 
The public was not warned.

 

Find out what's happening in Red Bank-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hours were cut from 45 to 20.

Morning and weekend hours were eliminated.

Find out what's happening in Red Bank-Shrewsburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The library is now open only one night, Thursday.
Six workers were laid off.

 

All children’s programs were eliminated. 
Also lost:

Hours for books, computers, wi-fi and CDs

Most ESL classes

All tutor and literacy training

Poets’, writers’, artists’ and photographers’ groups

Musicians’ evening presentations

 

Very important: You can change this!

Please attend the Board of Trustees meeting 
THIS THURSDAY – March 27, 6:30 pm, at the Eisner Room 
of the Red Bank Public Library. Come with questions!

 

The library has been there for you.

Now you need to be there for the library! 

Join the Facebook event: Save the Red Bank Library


Contact: Marcia Horn, 540-420-1749 ormarciadhorn@gmail.com

If you can't attend the Thursday meeting, there is aborough council meeting tonight (Wednesday). During public comment (or even just informally, after the meeting) let the mayor (who appoints the Library board) and council know that you are concerned about the library. The meeting is at    6:30 pm, 90 Monmouth Street, 1st floor.Borough website: redbanknj.org
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