Working Together to Save the Library: Update on Community Efforts

FOLLOW-UP MEETING TUESDAY, SEPT. 14, 7 PM, LASALLE BRANCH LIBRARY

The meeting next Tuesday will follow the regular meeting on the Lincoln Way West Gateway Neighborhood Association.
 In addition to receiving an update on a variety of community
initiatives that are already underway, we'll discuss future plans to
keep the LaSalle Branch open.  

The St. Joseph County Public Library Board will meet on Monday, September 27, at 4:15 PM at the Main Library. This meeting will include a Public Hearing on
the proposed 2011 Library Budget and Levy.  The proposed budget is not
yet available to the public; we will make every effort to obtain copies
of that budget for our meeting on September 14.

It is still anticipated that a decision on the future of the LaSalle Branch Library will occur at the October 25 meeting of the Library Board.  At this meeting, the Board will vote on whether to adopt the proposed 2011 Library Budget and Levy.

MEANWHILE . . .

60 back-packs with school supplies were distributed to children from the LaSalle Branch neighborhood.
– SCORE partnered with the LaSalle Library to offer a program on home-based business development, attended by 30 participants.

The first orientation session was held for reading mentors; adults will
partner with children to read to each other on Saturday afternoons
between 3 and 4.
– The Branch Librarian at LaSalle Square reports that library use on Saturdays has been "busy and steady."

Most
of the subcommittees that formed at the July 20 meeting sponsored by
the CFED and the LWW Gateway Association have continued to meet and
develop support for the library.
For example:
– The subcommittee developing programs for children contacted
the School Librarian at Dickinson Intermediate School.  A Book Club is
being planned, the LaSalle Branch Library will exhibit art created by
the students at Dickinson, an Intermediate Fine Arts Academy.  Mr.
Fulce, the Principal at Dickinson, is encouraging teachers to use the
LaSalle Branch for class projects, and members of our "Save the
Library" group visited the Dickinson open house to gather signatures on
the Library petition and also dozens of names of parents who are
interested in having their children participate in an after-school
homework assistance program at the LaSalle Branch.
– The homework assistance will be provided by a dozens of St. Mary's College Students who have signed up for the project.

St. John's Catholic School is also participating in new library
activities and volunteers from the subcommittee are talking with
schools throughout the area.

– Library supporters are a regular presence at the Urban Garden Market, getting signatures on the Library petition,
volunteers for Library Programs, and public support for keeping all
Branches open.  Strong support is evident from Market customers from
throughout St. Joseph County.  
– Petitions with more than a
thousand signature have already been turned in; library supporters
continue to take the petition to community events (Building Bridges in
the Park, the Fremont Street Block Party, etc.) and to their churches
and neighborhoods.  Students (ages 9 – 19) and their parents
participating in the Michiana Freedom Trails Awareness Project at the
Center for History collected signatures as well.  You can return
completed petitions to the Save the Library table at the Urban Garden
Market or by sending them to CFED, Box 11082, SB 46634.

These
are only examples of the wide variety of efforts currently underway.
 Join us at the Sept. 14 meeting to play a part in these efforts.

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