Don't cut Chicago Public Libraries!

Nov. 22 Update: Please click here to sign up to Save Chicago Libraries. The mayor's budget cuts described below were approved by the City Council - which means we need to take our efforts to protect the libraries to a new level. Although this petition is inactive, Chicago libraries need your help now more than ever.

Mayor Emanuel’s proposed budget would make steep cuts to Chicago's public library network. He would:

• Cut hours at all branch libraries on Mondays and Fridays, just two years after Mayor Daley slashed library jobs and sharply reduced operating hours; and

• Eliminate more than 550 library staff positions, laying off at least 24 librarians, 112 library clerks, and all 146 library pages.

We can't let this happen to libraries that are a vital part of the fabric of Chicago neighborhoods, to library patrons, and to library staff who work to serve them every day.

The library system is already strained and struggling to do more with less. Mayor Daley laid off more than 100 library employees and reduced hours, leaving librarians overworked, books unshelved and library users too often locked out of their local branches. Mayor Emanuel’s cuts would make matters worse.