Hey Miami-Dade County Commissioners…KEEP OUR LIBRARIES FUNDED, OPEN AND STAFFED! SIGN THE PETITION! 

https://www.change.org/petitions/miami-dade-county-commission-fully-fund-the-miami-dade-county-library-system

VIDEO:

WATCH: Mayor Makes OUTRAGEOUS Claim About Libraries

I’D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL THIS LETTER FROM THE FAMILY OF A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA TEACHER:  

[WITH MY OWN THOUGHTS IN BRACKETS, OF COURSE LOL]

Hello all, 

I hope my intrusion into your interspace is not too much of a burden. 

I am writing to inform those of you who may or may not keep up with local politics about the situation with our local libraries.  

The Miami-Dade Commissioners and Mayor have decided that approximately the price of a bottle of water per month for Miami tax payers is too much to ask for the county’s library services.  

[WHY SHOULD WE CARE, AND WHY AND I POSTING THIS?]

The library has been penalized for being the only fiscally responsible department.  Because the libraries were able to maintain their budget and put away reserves for  “rainy days” the commission a few years back decided the fate of the libraries would largely go hand in hand with how long they could maintain off of a minimal budget and these remaining reserves.  Despite many layoffs, salary and benefit cuts members of the library system kept up the quality of service people had been used to and that had been nationally recognized just three years ago.  

We now face a dire situation in which the commissioners think it a prudent decision to lay off half of the remaining library workers as well as close more than a third of all county branches.  The remaining branches will be understaffed and in result only be open a modicum of their present hours.

[SERIOUSLY FLORIDA, NO WONDER WE’RE A NATIONAL JOKE – CAN’T COUNT, NOW CAN’T READ!]

Libraries offer more services to our public than free books.  

[I FOR ONE SPENT MANY HOURS IN THE LIBRARY, FOR SCHOOL AND ENJOYMENT.]

But even if the library to you is only this, then the cost in taxes is less than the cost of purchasing either a few books at Barnes & Noble or e-books from Amazon- saving you money.

[WHY SHOULD WE CARE, AND WHY AND I POSTING THIS?]

Libraries offer many programs designed to assist the public in a myriad of ways.

They are community centers that promote art, culture and education.  

They provide tutoring, reading programs, and volunteer opportunities for our youth. They provide internet services, and ways for the under-privileged and elderly to access social services and receive assistance.  

They provide education for new parents, and assist in building the future literacy and civility of our community.  

If you feel as strongly as I do, or even just the smallest of love for community please support our local libraries and let the mayor and the commissioners hear your voice.  

Thank you for your Time, 

William Noble

[SIGN THE PETITION! TELL YOUR GOVERNMENT THAT YOUR VOICE COUNTS, AND THAT OUR LIBRARIES SHOULD REMAIN OPEN AND FULLY STAFFED.] 

https://www.change.org/petitions/miami-dade-county-commission-fully-fund-the-miami-dade-county-library-system

EMAILS TO CONTACT:

<Mayor@miamidade.gov>; <District1@miamidade.gov>; <district2@miamidade.gov>;  <District3@miamidade.gov>; <District4@miamidade.gov>; <district5@miamidade.gov>; <district6@miamidade.gov>; <district7@miamidade.gov>;<District8@miamidade.gov>; <DennisMoss@miamidade.gov>;  <Zapata@miamidade.gov> <District10@miamidade.gov>;  <District12@miamidade.gov>; <district13@miamidade.gov>