[Source: Casey Newton, Arizona Republic] — The Phoenix Public Library may shut down for one day each week as part of severe budget cuts that also will slash the fund for buying new books and DVDs. The budget proposal submitted by the library to Phoenix budget officials would both reduce the hours of service by an unspecified amount and reduce the budget for new materials, said Toni Garvey, the city librarian. The complete proposal will be unveiled Jan. 6, with two weeks of community budget hearings to follow. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Downtown Voices Coalition 
This is a travesty. The library is a gem for many. We give money to developers and we cut the library purchases. Hours I can deal with a little, but it is hard for working people to get there during the week. How can we galvanize support for the libraries? Suggestions appreciated.