Editorial | Losing our libraries

City Hall is throwing the book at Philadelphia's libraries.

In order to bridge the city's gaping budget shortfall, Mayor Michael Nutter recently announced plans to close 11 public libraries across Philadelphia - including the historic Kingsessing Library on 51st Street.

We understand that drastic times call for drastic measures. The budget crisis puts the mayor in the unenviable position of playing the budget cutter nobody likes.

Still, Nutter has fought hard for increased library funding in the past. Libraries play an essential role in increasing community engagement and helping develop youth into productive members of society.

And especially in bad economic times, they provide access to technology and information about job opportunities.

Many of the libraries scheduled for closure are also in economically depressed neighborhoods, where many students and families don't have access to good schools.

These areas need libraries the most. Philadelphia's public schools simply can't adequately supplement the educational resources that citizens receive in libraries.

Instead of targeting libraries, the city should cut back more on less important government services by, for example, closing even more pools. Nutter should also consider cutting down on the hours that all libraries are open, rather than shutting down certain branches.

In the rush to balance the budget, city lawmakers shouldn't ignore the long-term effects of their actions. After all, that's what got Philly into this fiscal mess in the first place.

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