WHEREAS:

Libraries are an essential part of our educational system, providing information to pre-schoolers through senior citizens; and

WHEREAS:

Public libraries around the country are facing budget cuts on the federal, state and local levels; and

WHEREAS:

The budget for the National Endowment for the Humanities and the budget for the National Endowment for the Arts, major sources of funding for research libraries, are also being cut; and

WHEREAS:

There is a growing trend to privatize public libraries throughout the country, the latest being the Jersey City Public Library, which is a threat to the public’s free access and a threat to uncensored information and to the security of library workers’ jobs and benefits.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME lobby Congress to support funding the NEH, NEA and help restore library budget cuts on the federal, state and local levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME do whatever is necessary to stop the privatization of the nation’s public libraries, protect the jobs of library workers and insure the public’s free access to uncensored information.

SUBMITTED BY:

Raymond Markey, President and Delegate
Edmond Fursa, Treasurer and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1930, Council 37
New York