Keep our libraries open

Want to help keep Emma's library open?

My friend Joyce is looking for a little help: On November 5, the Cleveland Public Library will be placing a 5-year, 5.8 mil renewal levy on the ballot. This money makes up almost half of the Library's operating budget, and if it doesn't pass, many of the Library's 27 branches will have to close.

We’ve already lost a branch in the neighborhood, when Memorial and Nottingham were replaced by Mem-Nott, and losing either that one or the Collinwood branch on E.152 would be a serious downer.

Keep in mind: this is a renewal; if it passes, homeowners won’t have to fork out any more than they’re paying now. If it fails, and your house is assessed at $100,000, you’ll save $177.63  per year (which I calculate to be $14.80 per month) but my granddaughter Emma (who has just reached the magic age at which she’s allowed to ride her bike to the library All Alone – albeit with guardians checking her along the way) may have no library to go to. Not to mention Jane, who has started kindergarten and is approaching the even more magic age when the chicken scratches turn into information. Not to mention the many parents and grandparents who use the library as a tutoring site, and the users of all ages who fill the computer seats and check out bags full of movies and books.

Library levies often pass, but this one will be at the end of a ballot stuffed with other important issues, and voters get ballot fatigue.

So – would you like to help with phone banks or canvassing? Or just put yard signs up? Well, then! Get in touch with Joyce at joycedodsrill@ sbcglobal.net, or go to the campaign website at www.SupportClevelandLibrary.com.